Lpa receptor agonists and antagonists and methods of use

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are compounds according to formula (I) as well as pharmaceutical compositions which include those compounds. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds, which have activity as agonists or as antagonists of LPA receptors; such methods including inhibiting LPA activity on an LPA receptor, modulating LPA receptor activity, treating cancer, enhancing cell proliferation, treating a wound, treating apoptosis or preserving or restoring function in a cell, tissue, or organ, culturing cells, preserving organ or tissue function, and treating a dermatological condition.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/748,331, which claimed the benefit of priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/963,085, filed Oct. 12, 2004, and Provisional Patent Application No. 60/509,971, filed Oct. 9, 2003. The disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This invention was funded, in part, by the National Institutes of Health Grant No. CA92160. The U.S. government may have certain rights in this invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to lysophosphatidic acid (“LPA”) derivatives which may be used to treat diarrhea.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Non-transformed cells require growth factors for their survival and proliferation. In addition to polypeptide growth factors, an emerging class of lipids with growth factor-like properties has been discovered, collectively known as phospholipid growth factors (PLGFs). Although they have similar pharmacologic properties in inducing the proliferation of most quiescent cells (Jalink et al., 1994a; Tokumura, 1995; Moolenaar et al., 1997), PLGFs can be sub-divided structurally into two broad categories. The first category contains the glycerophospholipid mediators (GPMs), which possess a glycerol backbone. Exemplary GPMs include LPA, phosphatidic acid (PA), cyclic phosphatidic acid (cyclic-PA), alkenyl glycerol phosphate (alkenyl-GP), and lysophosphatidyl serine (LPS). The second category contains the sphingolipid mediators (SPMs), which possess a sphingoid base motif. Exemplary SPMs include sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP), dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate, sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), and sphingosine (SPH).

LPA (Tigyi et al., 1991; Tigyi and Miledi, 1992), PA (Myher et al., 1989), alkenyl-GP (Liliom et al., 1998), cyclic-PA (Kobayashi et al., 1999), SPP (Yatomi et al., 1995), and SPC (Tigyi et al., 2000) have been detected in serum. These lipid mediators have been identified and characterized. There are still yet unknown PLGFs present in the serum and plasma that exhibit growth factor-like properties (Tigyi and Miledi, 1992). LPA, at a concentration of ≈20 μM, is the most abundant PLGF present in the serum (Tigyi and Miledi, 1992; Jalink et al., 1993).

In eukaryotic cells, LPA is a key intermediate in the early stages of phospholipid biosynthesis, which takes place predominantly in the membrane of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (Bosch, 1974; Bishop and Bell, 1988). In the ER, LPA is derived from the action of Acyl-CoA on glycerol-3-phosphate, which is further acylated to yield PA. Because the rate of acylation of LPA to PA is very high, very little LPA accumulates at the site of biosynthesis (Bosch, 1974). Since LPA is restricted to the ER, its role as a metabolic intermediate is most probably unrelated to its role as a signaling molecule.

LPA is a constituent of serum and its levels are in the low micromolar (μVI) range (Eicholtz et al., 1993). This level is expected because LPA is released by activated platelets during the coagulation process. Unlike serum, it is not detectable in fresh blood or plasma (Tigyi and Miledi, 1992; Eicholtz et al., 1993). LPA that is present in the serum is bound to albumin, and is responsible for a majority of the heat-stable, and non-dialysable biological activity of the whole serum (Moolenaar, 1994). The active serum component that is responsible for eliciting an inward chloride current in Xenopus oocyte was indentified to be LPA (18:0) (Tigyi and Miledi, 1992). The bulk of the albumin-bound LPA (18:0) is produced during the coagulation process, rather than by the action of lysophospholipase D (PLD) on lyso-PC. The latter pathway is responsible for the presence of LPA in ‘aged’ plasma that has been de-coagulated by the action of heparin or citrate plus dextrose (Tokumura et al., 1986). Furthermore, LPA is not present in plasma that has been treated with EDTA. This fact implies that plasma lysophospholipase may be Ca²⁺-dependent (Tokumura et al., 1986).

The role of albumin is to protect LPA from the actions of phospholipases present in the serum (Tigyi and Miledi, 1992). Tigyi and Miledi suggested that albumin not only acts as a carrier of LPA in the blood stream, but also increases its physiological half-life. There are yet unidentified lipid mediators present in serum albumin that mimic the actions of LPA in eliciting chloride current in Xenopus oocytes.

LPA-responsive cell types extend from those of slime mold amoebae and Xenopus oocyte to mammalian somatic cells. Thus, it seems likely that the source of LPA and its release may not be restricted only to activated platelets. Recent experiments showed that, on stimulation by peptide growth factors, mammalian fibroblasts rapidly produce LPA, which is followed by its release into the extracellular medium (Fukami and Takenawa, 1992).

There is evidence that relatively high amounts of bioactive LPA of unknown cellular origin are present in the ascitic fluid of ovarian cancer patients (Xu et al., 1995a), and that the ascitic fluid from such patients is known to possess potent mitogenic activity for ovarian carcinoma cells (Mills et al., 1988; Mills et al., 1990). It remains to be established whether it is secreted by tumor cells into the extracellular fluid, secreted by leukocytes, or produced from more complex lipids via the actions of various phospholipases.

GPMs and SPMs elicit a wide variety of cellular responses that span the phylogenetic tree (Jalink et al., 1993a). LPA induces transient Ca²⁺ signals that originate from intracellular stores in a variety of cells such as neuronal (Jalink et al., 1993; Durieux et al., 1992), platelets, normal as well as transformed fibroblasts (Jalink et al., 1990), epithelial cells (van Corven et al., 1989; Moolenaar, 1991), and Xenopus oocytes (Tigyi and Miledi, 1992; Durieux et al., 1992; Fernhout et al., 1992). LPA induces platelet aggregation (Schumacher et al., 1979; Tokumura et al., 1981; Gerrard et al., 1979; Simon et al., 1982) and smooth muscle contraction (Tokumura et al., 1980; Tokumura et al., 1994), and upon intravenous administration it induces species-dependent changes in blood pressure ((Schumacher et al., 1979; Tokumura et al., 1978).

LPA, when added to quiescent fibroblasts, stimulates DNA synthesis and cell division (van Corven et al., 1989; van Corven et al., 1992). The growth-like effects of LPA do not require the presence of peptide growth factors. This observation makes LPA different from endothelin or vasopressin, which require the presence of insulin or epidermal growth factor (Moolenaar, 1991) to sustain cell proliferation. Notably, in Sp2 myeloma cells, LPA demonstrated an antimitogenic response, which was mediated by an increase in cAMP levels (Tigyi et al., 1994; Fischer et al., 1998). Unlike the mitogenic pathway, the anti-mitogenic pathway was not affected by pertussis toxin (PTX). Also, on addition of forskolin and isobutyl methyl xanthin, the antimitogenic actions of LPA in Sp myeloma cells were additive (Tigyi et al., 1994). In various cell types, LPA causes cytoskeletal changes, which include formation of focal adhesions and stress fibers in fibroblasts (Ridley and Hall, 1992). LPA also promotes the reversal and suppression of neuroblastoma differentiation by inducing the retraction of developing neurites (Jalink et al., 1994a; Jalink et al., 1994b). Addition of nanomolar (nmol) amounts of LPA (Jalink and Moolenaar, 1992) to serum-starved N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells caused immediate neurite retraction, which was accompanied by rapid, but transient, rounding of the cell body (Jalink et al., 1993b). When a continuous presence of LPA is provided, neuroblastoma cells maintain their undifferentiated phenotype, but fail to undergo mitosis (Jalink et al., 1993b). Additional factors, such as insulin-like growth factors, are required for the progression of the cell cycle. Once the cells have undergone morphological differentiation, the addition of LPA reverses this morphological change. Thus, LPA-induced neurite retractions result from the contraction of the actin-cytoskeleton, rather than from loss of adhesion to the substratum (Jalink et al., 1993b; Jalink et al., 1994b).

LPA, similar to other physiological chemoattractants (e.g., interleukin-8), induces cell migration by a haptotactic mechanism in human monocytes (Zhou et al., 1995). In addition to inducing cell migration, LPA promotes the invasion of hepatoma and carcinoma cells into the monolayer of mesothelial cells (Imamura et al., 1993). The mechanism that underlies this invasion is still unclear, but it may be due to enhanced cell motility and increased cell adhesion. Finally, LPA is also known to block neonatal cardiomyocyte apoptosis (Umansky et al., 1997).

A unique natural phospholipid, namely cyclic-PA, was shown to be responsible for cellular actions that were similar to or opposite to other GPMs, depending on the cell type. When tested on the Xenopus oocyte, it elicited chloride current just like other GPMs; but its response was not desensitized by LPA (Fischer et al., 1998). Murakami-Murofushi et al. (1993) showed that cyclic-PA exhibited antiproliferative actions, unlike LPA, which induces proliferation.

PLGF receptors (PLGFRs) belong to a seven-transmembrane (7 TM) guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (G protein)-coupled receptors (GPCR) superfamily. Seven-TM GPCRs are a family of cell-surface receptors that mediate their cellular responses via interacting with the heterotrimeric G-protein. A number of LPA receptors have been identified including, among others, EDG-2, EDG-4, EDG-7, and PSP-24. A phylogenetic tree illustrating the relatedness of these LPA receptors and others is shown in FIG. 1.

In 1996, Hecht et al. used differential hybridization to clone a cDNA encoding a putative serpentine receptor from mouse neocortical cell lines (Hecht et al., 1996). The gene was termed as ventricular zone gene-1 (Vzg-1). The gene was expressed in cortical neurogenic regions and encoded a protein with a molecular weight of 41 kDa (364 amino acids). Vzg-1 was very similar to an unpublished sheep sequence termed endothelial differentiation gene-2 (EDG-2). The same cDNA was also isolated as an orphan receptor from mouse and bovine libraries, and was known as rec1.3 (Macrae et al., 1996). It was widely distributed in the mouse tissue, with the highest expression in the brain and heart.

In 1996, Guo et al., using a PCR base protocol, isolated another putative LPA receptor PSP-24 (372 amino acids) from Xenopus oocyte (Guo et al., 1996). This receptor showed little similarity with Vzg-1/EDG-2/rec1.3 (Guo et al., 1996). A sequence based search for sphingolipid receptors, using the cDNA sequence of the EDG-2 human LPA receptor, led to two closely related GPCRs, namely, rat H218 (EDG-5, 354 amino acids) and EDG-3 (378 amino acids) (An et al., 1997a). Northern analysis showed a high expression of mRNA that encoded EDG-3 and EGD-5 in heart tissue.

The recent identification of EDG-2 as a functional receptor for LPA prompted An et al. to perform a sequence-based search for a novel subtype of LPA receptor (An et al., 1998a). A human cDNA, encoding a GPCR, was discovered and designated EDG-4 (An et al., 1998a). Northern blot analysis showed that, although EDG-2 and EDG-4 both serve as GPM receptors, their tissue distributions were very different. Unlike EDG-2, EDG-4 was primarily expressed in peripheral blood leukocytes and testes (An et al., 1998a).

PCR amplification cDNA from human Jurkat T cells identified a previously unknown GPCR belonging to the EDG family. The identified GPCR was designated EDG-7. It has a molecular mass of 40 kDa (353 amino acids). Northern blot analysis of EDG-7 expression in human tissues showed that it is expressed in heart, pancreas, prostate, and testes (Bandoh et al., 1999). Thus, there are two distinct families of PLGF receptors PSP24 and EDG, with a total of ten individual PLGFRs (FIG. 1). The list continues to grow.

These various receptors can be classified based on their ligand specificities for GPMs or SPMs, as shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Phospholipid Growth Factor Receptor (PLGFR), Length and Principle Ligand PLGFR Number of amino acids Principle Ligand EDG-1 381 SPP EDG-2 364 LPA EDG-3 378 SPP EDG-4 382 LPA EDG-5 354 SPP EDG-6 385 SPP EDG-7 353 LPA EDG-8 400 SPP Xenopus PSP24 372 LPA Murine PSP24 373 LPA

Xenopus PSP24 and murine expressed PSP24 specifically transduce GPM-evoked oscillatory chloride-currents (LPA, Fischer et al., 1998). These are not structurally homologous to the EDG family (Tigyi and Miledi, 1992; Fernhout et al., 1992). The EDG family can be divided into two distinct subgroups. The first group includes EDG-2, EDG-4, and EDG-7, which serve as receptors for only GPM (Hecht et al., 1996; An et al., 1998a; Bandoh et al., 1999; An et al., 1998b) and transmit numerous signals in response to ligand binding. The second group involves EDG-1, EDG-3, EDG-5, EDG-6, and EDG-8, and is specific for SPMs (An et al., 1997a; Im et al., 2000; van Brocklyn et al., 1998; van Brocklyn et al., 2000; Spiegel and Milstein, 2000). Principle tissue expression of the various PLGFR's is shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Human Tissue Expression of Phospholipid Growth Factor Receptors PLGFR Human Tissue with Highest Expression EDG-1 Ubiquitous EDG-2 Cardiovascular, CNS, Gonadal tissue, GI EDG-3 Cardiovascular, Leukocyte EDG-4 Leukocyte, Testes EDG-5 Cardiovascular, CNS, Gonadal tissue, Placenta EDG-6 Lymphoid, Hematopoietic tissue EDG-7 Heart, Pancreas, Prostate, Testes EDG-8 Brain PSP24 CNS

PLGFs activate multiple G-protein-mediated signal transduction events. These processes are mediated through the heterotrimeric G-protein families G_(q/11), G_(q/11), G_(i/0), and G_(12/13) (Moolenaar, 1997; Spiegel and Milstein, 1995; Gohla, et al., 1998).

The G_(q/11) pathway is responsible for phospholipase C(PLC) activation, which in turn induces inositol triphosphate (IP₃) production with subsequent mobilization of Ca²⁺ in a wide variety of cells (Tokumura, 1995). In some cells, this response is PTX-sensitive, implying that there is involvement of multiple PTX-sensitive and insensitive pathways (Tigyi et al., 1996). This pathway is also responsible for the diacyl glycerol (DAG)-mediated activation of protein kinase C(PKC). PKC activates cellular phospholipase D (PLD), which is responsible for the hydrolysis of phosphatidyl choline into free choline and PA (van der Bend et al., 1992a). Also, PLC is capable of activating MAP kinase directly, or via DAG activation of PKC in some cell types (Ghosh et al., 1997).

The mitogenic-signaling pathway is mediated through the G-protein heterotrimeric G_(i/0) subunit. Transfection studies indicate that the G_(iβγ dimer rather than the αi subunit is responsible for Ras-MAP kinase activation. The activation of Ras is preceded by the transactivation of the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) such as EGF (Cunnick et al.,) 1998) or PDGF receptors (Herrlich et al., 1998). The transactivated RTKS activate Ras, which leads to the activation of MAP kinases (ERK 1,2) via Raf. The G_(iα) subunit, which is PTX-sensitive, inhibits adenylyl cyclase (AC), resulting in βγ dimer docking to a G-protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRKs) that phosphorylates and desensitizes the receptor. The phosphorylated receptor is recruited by β-arrestin, thus recruiting src kinase, which phosphorylates the EGF-receptor, generating its active conformation (Lin et al., 1997; Ahn et al., 1999; Luttrell et al., 1999). The transactivated RTKs, in turn, activate Ras, which leads to the activation of MAP kinases (ERK 1,2) via Raf. The G_(iα) subunit, which is PTX-sensitive, inhibits AC, resulting in decreased levels of cyclic-AMP (cAMP). The opposite cellular effects by LPA, that is, mitogenesis and antimitogenesis, are accompanied by opposing effects on the cAMP second messenger system. Mitogenesis is mediated through the G_(iα) pathway, which results in decreased levels of cAMP (van Corven et al., 1989; van Corven et al., 1992), whereas anti-mitogenesis is accompanied by a non-PTX sensitive Ca²⁺-dependent elevation of cAMP (Tigyi et al., 1994; Fischer et al., 1998).

In contrast, very little is known about the PTX-insensitive G_(12/13) signaling pathway, which leads to the rearrangement of the actin-cytoskeleton. This pathway may also involve the transactivation of RTKs (Lin et al., 1997; Ahn et al., 1999; Luttrell et al., 1999; Gohla et al., 1998) and converge on a small GTPase, Rho (Moolenaar, 1997). Much more is known about the down-stream signaling of Rho because various protein partners have been isolated and identified. Rho activates Ser/Thr kinases, which phosphorylate, and as a result inhibit, myosin light chain phosphatase (MLC-phosphatase) (Kimura et al., 1996). This path results in the accumulation of the phosphorylated form of MLC, leading to cytoskeletal responses that lead to cellular effects like retraction of neurites (Tigyi and Miledi, 1992; Tigyi et al., 1996; Dyer et al., 1992; Postma et al., 1996; Sato et al., 1997), induction of stress fibers (Ridley and Hall, 1992; Gonda et al., 1999), stimulation of chemotaxis (Jalink et al., 1993a), cell migration (Zhou et al., 1995; Kimura et al., 1992), and tumor cell invasiveness (Imamura et al., 1993; Imamura et al., 1996). The PLGF-induced, Rho-mediated, tumor cell invasiveness is blocked by C. botulinium C3-toxin, which specifically ribosylates Rho in an ADP-dependent mechanism (Imamura et al., 1996).

Rho also has the ability to stimulate DNA synthesis in quiescent fibroblasts (Machesky and Hall, 1996; Ridley, 1996). The expression of Rho family GTPase activates serum-response factor (SRF), which mediates early gene transcription (Hill et al., 1995). Furthermore, PLGF (LPA) induces tumor cell invasion (Imamura et al., 1996); however, it is still unclear whether it involves cytoskeletal changes or gene transcription, or both.

By virtue of LPA/LPA receptor involvement in a number of cellular pathways and cell activities such as proliferation and/or migration, as well as their implication in wound healing and cancer, it would be desirable to identify novel compounds which are capable of acting, preferably selectively, as either antagonists or agonists at the LPA receptors identified above.

There are currently very few synthetic or endogenous LPA receptor inhibitors which are known. Of the antagonists reported to date, the most work was done on SPH, SPP, N-palmitoyl-1-serine (Bittman et al., 1996), and N-palmitoyl-1-tyrosine (Bittman et al., 1996). It is known that the above-mentioned compounds inhibit LPA-induced chloride currents in the Xenopus oocyte (Bittman et al., 1996; Zsiros et al., 1998). However, these compounds have not been studied in all cell systems. It is also known that SPP inhibits tumor cell invasiveness, but it is uncertain whether SPP does so by being an inhibitor of LPA or via the actions of its own receptors. N-palmitoyl-1-serine and N-palmitoyl-1-tyrosine also inhibited LPA-induced platelet aggregation (Sugiura et al., 1994), but it remains to be seen whether these compounds act at the LPA receptor. Lysophosphatidyl glycerol (LPG) was the first lipid to show some degree of inhibition of LPA actions (van der Bend et al., 1992b), but it was not detectable in several LPA-responsive cells types (Liliom et al., 1996). None of these inhibitors was shown to selectively act at specific LPA receptors.

A polysulfonated compound, Suramin, was shown to inhibit LPA-induced DNA synthesis in a reversible and dose-dependent manner. However, it was shown that Suramin does not have any specificity towards the LPA receptor and blocked the actions of LPA only at very high millimolar (mM) concentrations (van Corven et al., 1992).

The present invention is directed to addressing the lack of agents which act as LPA agonists and LPA antagonists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds according to formula (I)

wherein,

at least one of X¹, X², and X³ is (HO)₂PS—Z¹—, or (HO)₂PO—Z²—P(OH)S—Z¹—, X¹ and X² are linked together as —O—PS(OH) —O—, or X¹ and X³ are linked together as —O—PS(OH) —NH—;

at least one of X¹, X², and X³ is R¹—Y¹-A- with each being the same or different when two of X¹, X², and X³ are R¹—Y¹-A-, or X² and X³ are linked together as —N(H) —C(O) —N(R¹) —;

optionally, one of X¹, X², and X³ is H;

A is either a direct link, (CH₂)_(k) with k being an integer from 0 to 30, or O;

Y¹ is —(CH₂)_(l)— with l being an integer from 1 to 30, —O—, —S—,

or —NR²—;

Z¹, is —(CH₂)_(m)—, —CF₂—, —CF₂(CH₂)_(m)—, or —O(CH₂)_(m)— with m being an integer from 1 to 50, —C(R³)H—, —NH—, —O—, or —S—;

Z² is —(CH₂)_(n)— or —O(CH₂)_(n)— with n being an integer from 1 to 50 or —O—;

Q¹ and Q² are independently H₂, ═NR⁴, ═O, or a combination of H and —NR⁵R⁶;

R¹, for each of X¹, X², or X³, is independently hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, a straight or branched-chain C2 to C30 alkenyl, an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring with or without mono-, di-, or tri-substitutions of the ring, an acyl including a C1 to C30 alkyl or an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, an arylalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, an aryloxyalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl,

and

R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ are independently hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, a straight or branched-chain C2 to C30 alkenyl, an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring with or without mono-, di-, or tri-substitutions of the ring, an acyl including a C1 to C30 alkyl or aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, an arylalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, or an aryloxyalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl.

Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions which include a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier and a compound of the present invention.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of inhibiting LPA activity on an LPA receptor which includes providing a compound of the present invention which has activity as an LPA receptor antagonist and contacting an LPA receptor with the compound under conditions effective to inhibit LPA-induced activity of the LPA receptor.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of modulating LPA receptor activity which includes providing a compound of the present invention which has activity as either an LPA receptor agonist or an LPA receptor antagonist and contacting an LPA receptor with the compound under conditions effective to modulate the activity of the LPA receptor.

Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of treating cancer which includes providing a compound of the present invention and administering an effective amount of the compound to a patient in a manner effective to treat cancer.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of enhancing cell proliferation which includes providing a compound the present invention which has activity as an agonist of an LPA receptor and contacting the LPA receptor on a cell with the compound in a manner effective to enhance LPA receptor-induced proliferation of the cell.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of treating a wound which includes providing a compound of the present invention which has activity as an agonist of an LPA receptor and delivering an effective amount of the compound to a wound site, where the compound binds to LPA receptors on cells that promote healing of the wound, thereby stimulating LPA receptor agonist-induced cell proliferation to promote wound healing.

A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of making the compounds of the present invention. One approach for making the compounds of the present invention includes:

reacting (Y²O)₂PO—Z¹¹—Z¹³ or (Y²O)₂PO—Z¹²—P(OH)—O—Z¹¹—Z¹³, where

Z¹¹ is —(CH₂)_(m)—, CF₂—, —CF₂(CH₂)_(m)—, or —O(CH₂)_(m)— with m being an integer from 1 to 50, —C(R³)H—, —NH—, or —S—;

Z¹² is —(CH₂)_(n)— or —(CH₂)_(n)— with n being an integer from 1 to 50 or —O—,

Z¹³ is H or a first leaving group or —Z¹¹—Z¹³ together form the first leaving group; and

Y² is H or a protecting group, with an intermediate compound according to formula (IX) in the presence of sulfur

where,

at least one of X¹¹, X¹², and X¹³ is R¹¹—Y¹¹-A- with each being the same or different when two of X¹¹, X¹², and X¹³ are R¹¹—Y¹¹-A-, or X¹² and X¹³ are linked together as —N(H)—C(O)—N(R¹¹)—;

at least one of X¹¹, X¹², and X¹³ is OH, NH₂, SH, or a second leaving group;

optionally, one of X¹¹, X¹², and X¹³ is H;

A is either a direct link, (CH₂)_(k) with k being an integer from 0 to 30, or O;

Y¹¹ is —(CH₂)_(l)— with/being an integer from 1 to 30, —O—,

—S—, or —NR¹²—;

Q¹ and Q² are independently H₂, ═NR¹³, ═O, a combination of H and —NR¹⁴R¹⁵;

R¹¹, for each of X¹¹, X¹², or X¹³, is independently hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, a straight or branched-chain C2 to C30 alkenyl, an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring with or without

and mono-, di-, or tri-substitutions of the ring, an acyl including a C1 to C30 alkyl or an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, an arylalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, an aryloxyalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl,

R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶, and R¹⁷ are independently hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, a straight or branched-chain C2 to C30 alkenyl, an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring with or without mono-, di-, or tri-substitutions of the ring, an acyl including a C1 to C30 alkyl or aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, an arylalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, or an aryloxyalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl; followed by a de-protection step, if necessary, with both said reacting and the deprotection step being performed under conditions effective to afford a compound according to formula (I) where one or two of X¹, X², and X³ is (HO)₂PS—Z¹— or (HO)₂PS—Z²—P(OH)S—Z¹—.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of treating apoptosis or preserving or restoring function in a cell, tissue, or organ which includes: providing a compound of the present invention which has activity as an agonist of an LPA receptor; and contacting a cell, tissue, or organ with an amount of the compound which is effective to treat apoptosis or preserve or restore function in the cell, tissue, or organ.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of culturing cells which includes: culturing cells in a culture medium which includes a compound of the present invention which has activity as an agonist of an LPA receptor and is present in an amount which is effective to prevent apoptosis or preserve the cells in culture.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preserving an organ or tissue which includes: providing a compound of the present invention which has activity as an agonist of an LPA receptor; and treating an organ or tissue with a solution comprising the compound in an amount which is effective to preserve the organ or tissue function.

A related aspect of the present invention relates to an alternative method of preserving an organ or tissue which includes: providing a compound of the present invention which has activity as an agonist of an LPA receptor; and administering to a recipient of a transplanted organ or tissue an amount of the compound which is effective to preserve the organ or tissue function

A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of treating a dermatological condition which includes: providing a compound of the present invention which has activity as an LPA receptor agonist; and topically administering a composition comprising the compound to a patient, the compound being present in an amount which is effective to treat the dermatological condition

The compounds of the present invention which have been identified herein as being either agonists or antagonists of one or more LPA receptors find uses to inhibit or enhance, respectively, biochemical pathways mediated by LPA receptor signaling. By modulating LPA receptor signaling, the antagonists and agonists find specific and substantial uses as described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates three reaction schemes used to prepare fatty acid phosphates (Scheme 1), fatty acid thiophosphonates (Scheme 2), and difluorophosphonates (Scheme 3).

FIGS. 2A-D are graphs illustrating the effects of modified C-14 analogs on RH7777 cells stably transfected with LPA₁₋₃ receptors. 200 nM of LPA 18:1 was co-applied with increasing concentrations of C-14 analogs to RH7777 cells stably expressing LPA₁ and LPA₃. Increasing concentrations of different C-14 analogs were applied to measure their agonistic properties at LPA₂. Data points represent average of four measurements. FIG. 2A shows inhibition of the LPA response by C-14 analogs at LPA₁; FIG. 2B shows activation of LPA₂ by C-14 FAP analogs; FIG. 2C shows inhibition of the LPA response by C-14 phosphonate 9c at LPA₂; and FIG. 2D shows inhibition of the LPA response by C-14 analogs at LPA₃.

FIGS. 3A-C are graphs illustrating that oleoyl-thiophosphate (8g) is an agonist at LPA₁, LPA₂ and LPA₃ receptors expressed in RH7777 cells. Intracellular Ca²⁺ transients were measured in response to the application of increasing concentrations of 8g and compared to transients elicited by the corresponding amount of LPA 18:1. Data points represent the average of four measurements. Dose-response relationships for LPA 18:1 and 8g in RH7777 cells expressing LPA₁ (FIG. 3A), LPA₂ (FIG. 3B), and LPA₃ (FIG. 3C).

FIG. 4 is a bar graph depicting the results of in vitro PPARγ activation by selected compounds in CV1 cells transfected with PPARγ and PPRE-Acox-Rluc reporter gene. Comparing the effects with the Rosiglitazone, a known PPARγ agonist, CV1 cells were treated with 1% DMSO or 10 μM of test compound dissolved in DMSO for 20 h. Luciferase and β-galactosidase activities (mean±SEM) were measured in the cell lysate (n=4). *P<0.05 and **P<0.01, significant differences over vehicle control.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating LPA and FAP18:1d9 thiophosphate (8μ) dose-dependently inhibit DNA fragmentation induced by Campothotecin (20 μM).

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating that FAP 18:1d9 thiophosphate (8g) enhances crypt survival.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the dose-dependent enhancement of crypt survival in FAP 18:1d9-treated mice.

FIG. 8 is a graph demonstrating that FAP 18:1d9 elicits dose-dependent crypt survival in the ileum and jejunum of γ-irradiated mice.

FIG. 9 illustrates a synthesis scheme for preparing thiophosphoric acid esters containing an arylalkyl R¹ group when Y¹ is also an alkyl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to a compound according to formula (I)

wherein,

at least one of X¹, X², and X³ is (HO)₂PS—Z¹—, or (HO)₂PS—Z²—P(OH)S—Z¹—, X¹ and X² are linked together as —O—PS(OH)—O—, or X¹ and X³ are linked together as —O—PS(OH)—NH—;

at least one of X¹, X², and X³ is R¹—Y¹-A- with each being the same or different when two of X¹, X², and X³ are R¹—Y¹-A-, or X² and X³ are linked together as —N(H)—C(O)—N(R¹)—;

optionally, one of X¹, X², and X³ is H;

A is either a direct link, (CH₂)_(k) with k being an integer from 0 to 30, or —O—;

Y¹ is —(CH₂)_(l)— with l being an integer from 1 to 30, —O—,

—S—, or —NR²—;

Z¹ is —(CH₂)_(m)—, —CF₂—, —CF₂(CH₂)_(m)—, or —O(CH₂)_(m)— with m being an integer from 1 to 50, —C(R³)H—, —NH—, —O—, or —S—;

Z² is —(CH₂)_(n)— or —O(CH₂)_(n)— with n being an integer from 1 to 50 or —O—;

Q¹ and Q² are independently H₂, ═NR⁴, ═O, a combination of H and —NR⁵R⁶;

R¹, for each of X¹, X², or X³, is independently hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, a straight or branched-chain C2 to C30 alkenyl, an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring with or without mono-, di-, or tri-substitutions of the ring, an acyl including a C1 to C30 alkyl or an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, an arylalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, an aryloxyalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl,

and

R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ are independently hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, a straight or branched-chain C2 to C30 alkenyl, an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring with or without mono-, di-, or tri-substitutions of the ring, an acyl including a C1 to C30 alkyl or aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, an arylalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, or an aryloxyalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl.

For each of the above-identified R groups (e.g., R¹-R⁸), straight chain alkyls have the formula —(CH₂)_(x)CH₃ where x is from 0 to 29; branched chain alkyls have the formula as defined above for straight chain alkyl, except that one or more CH₂ groups are replaced by CHW groups where W is an alkyl side chain; straight chain alkenyls have the formula —(CH₂)_(Xa)CH═CH(CH₂)_(Xb)CH₃ where Xa and Xb each are from 0 to 27 and (Xa+Xb) is not more than 27; and branched chain alkenyls have the formula as defined above for straight chain alkenyl, except that one or more CH₂ groups are replaced by CHW groups or a CH group is replaced by a CW group, where W is an alkyl side chain. Preferred hydrocarbon groups are preferably between about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms in length, more preferably between about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms in length, and may contain one or more double bonds.

Aromatic or heteroaromatic rings include, without limitation, phenyls, indenes, pyrroles, imidazoles, oxazoles, pyrrazoles, pyridines, pyrimidines, pyrrolidines, piperidines, thiophenes, furans, napthals, bi-phenyls, and indoles. The aromatic or heteroaromatic rings can include mono-, di-, or tri-substitutions of the ring located at the ortho, meta, or para positions on the rings relative to where the ring binds to the Y¹ group of the R¹—Y¹-A- chain. Substitutions on the rings can include, without limitation, alkyl, alkoxy, amine (including secondary or tertiary amines), alkylamine, amide, alkylamide, acids, alcohols.

Acyl groups can include either alkyl alkenyl, or aromatic or heteroaromatic rings as described above.

Arylalkyl and aryloxyalkyl groups can include, without limitation, straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl groups as described above, with the alkyl group binding to the Y¹ group of the R¹—Y¹-A- chain.

Exemplary compounds according to formula (I) are the subclass compounds according to formulae (II)-(VII) below.

In the structures of formulae (II)A and (II)B, Q¹ and Q² are both H₂; one of X¹, X², and X³ is (HO)₂PS—Z²—P(OH)S—Z¹—, with Z¹ and Z² being O; and two of X¹, X², and X³ are R¹—Y¹-A-, with A being a direct link and Y¹ being 0 for each. Each R¹ is defined independently as above for formula (I).

In the structures of formula (III), Q¹ is H₂; Q² is —O—: X¹ is (HO)₂PO—Z¹—, with Z¹ being O; and X² and X³ are R¹—Y¹-A-, with A being a direct link and Y¹ being —NH— for each. Each R¹ is defined independently as above for formula (I). Preferred species of within the scope of formula III are where X³ is —NH₂ and X² is —NHR¹ with R¹ being a C10 to C18 alkyl, more preferably either a C14 alkyl or a C18 alkyl; or where X³ is —NHR¹ with R¹ being an acetyl group and X² is —NHR¹ with R¹ being a C14 alkyl.

In the structures of formula (IV), Q¹ is ═NR⁴; Q² is H₂; X¹ and X² are linked together as —O—PO(OH)—O—; and X³ is R¹—Y¹-A-, with A being a direct link and Y¹ being —NH—. R¹ and R⁴ are as defined above for formula (I).

In the structures of formulae (V)A and (V)B, Q¹ and Q² are both H₂; two of X¹, X², and X³ are (HO)₂PO—Z¹—, with Z¹ being O for each; and one of X¹, X², and X³ is R¹—Y¹-A-, with A being a direct link and Y¹ being —O—. R¹ is as defined above for formula (I). Preferred species within the scope of formulae (V)A and (V)B include the compounds where R¹ is an acyl including a C21 alkyl or where R¹ is a C18 alkyl.

The compounds according to formula (I), as well as the subgenus compounds according to formulae (II)A, (II)B, (III), (IV), (V)A, and (V)B, may be prepared using the synthesis schemes described in PCT/US01/08729, filed Mar. 19, 2001, (incorporated by reference in its entirety) except that phosphoramidate or pyrophosphates can be reacted in the presence of sulfur (with reflux) to obtain the thio-substituted derivatives.

In the compounds according to formula (VI), Q¹ and Q² are both H₂; one of X¹ and X² is (HO)₂PS—Z¹—, with Z¹ being O; and one of X¹, X², and X³ is R¹—Y¹-A-, with A being a direct link and Y¹ being —CH₂—. R¹ is as defined above for formula (I). Preferred R¹ groups are saturated and unsaturated C2 to C24 hydrocarbons, both straight and branched chain, and arylakyl groups containing C2 to C24 hydrocarbons; most preferred R¹ groups are saturated and unsaturated C4 to C18 hydrocarbons. A preferred compound according to formula VI is thiophosphoric acid O-octadec-9-enyl ester (8g; also referred to as FAP 18:1d9).

The synthesis of thiophosphonates according to formula (VI) is outlined in scheme 2 of FIG. 1. The protected thiophosphoric acid O,O′-bis-(2-cyano-ethyl)ester O″-alkyl/alkenyl esters can be synthesized using a modified method of Haines et al. (1996). Commercially available fatty alcohols (6a-g) can be treated with a mixture of 1H-tetrazole and bis(2-cyanoethyl)-N,Ndiisopropyl phosphoramidite in anhydrous methylene chloride followed by reflux in the presence of elemental sulfur to give bis-cyanoethyl protected fatty alcohol thiophosphates (7a-g). These protected thiophosphates can be treated with methanolic KOH, followed by acidification to yield the required thiophosphates (8a-g).

In the structures of formulae (VII)A and (VII)B, Q¹ and Q² are both H₂; one of X¹, X², and X³ is (HO)₂PS—Z¹— with Z¹ being O; and two of X¹, X², and X³ are R¹—Y¹-A-, with A being a direct link and Y¹ being 0 for each. Each R¹ is defined independently as above for formula (I).

Preferred R¹ groups are saturated and unsaturated C6 to C24 hydrocarbons, both straight and branched chain; most preferred R¹ groups are saturated and unsaturated C8 to C18 hydrocarbons. Two preferred compounds according to group (VII)A are the (R) and (S) enantiomers where both R¹ groups are saturated octyl groups. The (R) enantiomer is a partial LPA₁ agonist (EC₅₀: 695 nM), a transient partial LPA₂ agonist (EC₅₀: 1.02 μM), and a full LPA₃ (EC₅₀: 3 nM) agonist. The (S) enantiomer is an agonist of the LPA, and LPA₃ receptors (IC₅₀ 328 nM for LPA₁ and IC₅₀ 184 nM for LPA, (both for 200 nM LPA)).

The compounds of formulae (VII)A and (VII)B can be prepared using the synthesis schemes described in PCT/US01/08729, filed Mar. 19, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, except that phosphoramidate can be reacted in the presence of sulfur (with reflux) to obtain the thio-substituted derivatives.

In the compounds according to formula (VIII), Q¹ and Q² are both H₂; one of X¹ and X² is (HO)₂PS—Z¹—, with Z¹ being CF₂; and one of X¹, X², and X³ is R¹—Y¹-A-, with A being a direct link and Y¹ being —CH₂—. R¹ is as defined above for formula (I).

Preferred R¹ groups are saturated and unsaturated C2 to C20 hydrocarbons, both straight and branched chain; most preferred R¹ groups are saturated and unsaturated C4 to C12 hydrocarbons.

The synthesis of difluorothiophosphonates according to formula (VIII) is outlined in Scheme 3 of FIG. 1. The tetradecyl difluorophosphonate analog was synthesized in two steps (Scheme 3) using diethyl difluoromethanephosphonate as the starting material (Halazy et al., 1991). Diethyl difluoromethanephosphonate was treated with LDA at −78° C. followed by reacting the anion with tetradecyl bromide to give the protected phosphonate 10. Compound 10 was deprotected using bromotrimethyl silane to yield the required difluorophosphonate compound (11).

Thus, the non-cyclic compounds of the present invention can be prepared by reacting (Y²O)₂PO—Z¹¹—Z¹³, (Y²O)₂PO—Z¹²—P(OH)S—Z¹¹—Z¹³, where Z¹¹ is —(CH₂)_(m), —CF₂—, —CF₂(CH₂)_(m), or —O(CH₂)_(m)— with m being an integer from 1 to 50, —C(R³)H—, or —O—, Z¹² is —(CH₂)_(n)— or —O(CH₂)_(n)— with n being an integer from 1 to 50 or —O—, Z¹³ is H or a first leaving group or —Z¹¹—Z¹³ together to form the first leaving group, and Y² is H or a protecting group; with an intermediate compound according to formula (IX) in the presence of sulfur, followed by a de-protection step, if necessary, both performed under conditions effective to afford a compound according to formula (I) where one or two of X¹, X², and X³ is (HO)₂PS—Z¹— or (HO)₂PS—Z²—P(OH)S—Z¹— with Z¹ and Z² being defined as above.

The intermediate compound of formula (IX) has the following structure:

wherein,

at least one of X¹¹, X¹², and X¹³ is R¹¹—Y¹¹-A- with each being the same or different when two of X¹¹, X¹², and X¹³ are R¹¹—Y¹¹-A-, or X¹² and X¹³ are linked together as —N(H)—C(O)—N(R¹¹)—;

at least one of X¹¹, X¹², and X¹³ is OH, NH₂, SH, or a second leaving group;

optionally, one of X¹¹, X¹², and X¹³ is H;

A is either a direct link, (CH₂)_(k) with k being an integer from 0 to 30, —O—;

Y¹¹ is —(CH₂)_(l)— with l being an integer from 1 to 30, —O—,

—S—, or —NR¹¹R¹²—;

Q¹ and Q² are independently H₂, ═NR¹³, ═O, a combination of H and —NR¹⁴R¹⁵;

R¹¹, for each of X¹¹, X¹², or X¹³, is independently hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, a straight or branched-chain C2 to C30 alkenyl, an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring with or without mono-, di-, or tri-substitutions of the ring, an acyl including a C1 to C30 alkyl or an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, an arylalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, an aryloxyalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl,

and

R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶, and R¹⁷ are independently hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, a straight or branched-chain C2 to C30 alkenyl, an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring with or without mono-, di-, or tri-substitutions of the ring, an acyl including a C1 to C30 alkyl or aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, an arylalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl, or an aryloxyalkyl including straight or branched-chain C1 to C30 alkyl.

Having prepared the LPA receptor agonists and antagonists of the present invention, such compounds can be used to prepare pharmaceutical compositions suitable for treatment of patients as described hereinafter. Therefore, a further aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition that includes a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier and a compound of the present invention. The pharmaceutical composition can also include suitable excipients, or stabilizers, and can be in solid or liquid form such as, tablets, capsules, powders, solutions, suspensions, or emulsions. Typically, the composition will contain from about 0.01 to 99 percent, preferably from about 20 to 75 percent of active compound(s), together with the carrier, excipient, stabilizer, etc.

The solid unit dosage forms can be of the conventional type. The solid form can be a capsule, such as an ordinary gelatin type containing the compounds of the present invention and a carrier, for example, lubricants and inert fillers such as, lactose, sucrose, or cornstarch. In another embodiment, these compounds are tableted with conventional tablet bases such as lactose, sucrose, or cornstarch in combination with binders like acacia, cornstarch, or gelatin, disintegrating agents, such as cornstarch, potato starch, or alginic acid, and a lubricant, like stearic acid or magnesium stearate.

The compounds of the present invention may also be administered in injectable or topically-applied dosages by solution or suspension of these materials in a physiologically acceptable diluent with a pharmaceutical carrier. Such carriers include sterile liquids, such as water and oils, with or without the addition of a surfactant and other pharmaceutically and physiologically acceptable carrier, including adjuvants, excipients or stabilizers. Illustrative oils are those of petroleum, animal, vegetable, or synthetic origin, for example, peanut oil, soybean oil, or mineral oil. In general, water, saline, aqueous dextrose and related sugar solution, and glycols, such as propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol, are preferred liquid carriers, particularly for injectable solutions.

For use as aerosols, the compounds of the present invention in solution or suspension may be packaged in a pressurized aerosol container together with suitable propellants, for example, hydrocarbon propellants like propane, butane, or isobutane with conventional adjuvants. The materials of the present invention also may be administered in a non-pressurized form such as in a nebulizer or atomizer.

Depending upon the treatment being effected, the compounds of the present invention can be administered orally, topically, transdermally, parenterally, subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, by intranasal instillation, by intracavitary or intravesical instillation, intraocularly, intraarterially, intralesionally, or by application to mucous membranes, such as, that of the nose, throat, and bronchial tubes.

Compositions within the scope of this invention include all compositions wherein the compound of the present invention is contained in an amount effective to achieve its intended purpose. While individual needs vary, determination of optimal ranges of effective amounts of each component is within the skill of the art. Typical dosages comprise about 0.01 to about 100 mg/kg body wt. The preferred dosages comprise about 0.1 to about 100 mg/kg body wt. The most preferred dosages comprise about 1 to about 100 mg/kg body wt. Treatment regimen for the administration of the compounds of the present invention can also be determined readily by those with ordinary skill in art.

Certain compounds of the present invention have been found to be useful as agonists of LPA receptors while other compounds of the present invention have been found useful as antagonists of LPA receptors. Due to their differences in activity, the various compounds find different uses. The preferred animal subject of the present invention is a mammal. The invention is particularly useful in the treatment of human subjects.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of modulating LPA receptor activity which includes providing a compound of the present invention which has activity as either an LPA receptor agonist or an LPA receptor antagonist and contacting an LPA receptor with the compound under conditions effective to modulate the activity of the LPA receptor.

The LPA receptor is present on a cell which either normally expresses the LPA receptor or has otherwise been transformed to express a particular LPA receptor. Suitable LPA receptors include, without limitation, EDG-2 (LPA₁), EDG-4 (LPA₂), EDG-7 (LPA₃), GPR23 (LPA₄) (Noguchi et al. 2003), and PSP-24 receptors. The tissues which contain cells that normally express these receptors are indicated in Table 1. When contacting a cell with the LPA receptor agonist or LPA receptor antagonist of the present invention, the contacting can be carried out while the cell resides in vitro or in vivo.

To heterologously express these receptors in host cells which do not normally express them, a nucleic acid molecule encoding one or more of such receptors can be inserted in sense orientation into an expression vector which includes appropriate transcription and translations regulatory regions (i.e., promoter and transcription termination signals) and then host cells can be transformed with the expression vector. The expression vector may integrate in the cellular genome or simply be present as extra-chromosomal nuclear material. Expression can be either constitutive or inducible, although constitutive expression is suitable for most purposes.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences for EDG-2 is known and reported in An et al. (1997b) and Genbank Accession No. U80811, which is hereby incorporated by reference. An EDG-2 (LPA₁) encoding nucleic acid molecule has a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ. ID. No. 1 as follows:

atggctgcca tctctacttc catccctgta atttcacagc cccagttcac agccatgaat 60 gaaccacagt gcttctacca cgagtccatt gccttctttt ataaccgaag tggaaagcat 120 cttgccacag aatggaacac agtcagcaag ctggtgatgg gacttggaat cactgtttgt 180 atcttcatca tgttggccaa cctattggtc atggtggcaa tctatgtcaa ccgccgcttc 240 cattttccta tttattacct aatggctaat ctggctgctg cagacttctt tgctgggttg 300 gcctacttct atctcatgtt caacacagga cccaatactc ggagactgac tgttagcaca 360 tggctcctgc gtcagggcct cattgacacc agcctgacgg catctgtggc caacttactg 420 gctattgcaa tcgagaggca cattacggtt ttccgcatgc agctccacac acggatgagc 480 aaccggcggg tagtggtggt cattgtggtc atctggacta tggccatcgt tatgggtgct 540 atacccagtg tgggctggaa ctgtatctgt gatattgaaa attgttccaa catggcaccc 600 ctctacagtg actcttactt agtcttctgg gccattttca acttggtgac ctttgtggta 660 atggtggttc tctatgctca catctttggc tatgttcgcc agaggactat gagaatgtct 720 cggcatagtt ctggaccccg gcggaatcgg gataccatga tgagtcttct gaagactgtg 780 gtcattgtgc ttggggcctt tatcatctgc tggactcctg gattggtttt gttacttcta 840 gacgtgtgct gtccacagtg cgacgtgctg gcctatgaga aattcttcct tctccttgct 900 gaattcaact ctgccatgaa ccccatcatt tactcctacc gcgacaaaga aatgagcgcc 960 acctttaggc agatcctctg ctgccagcgc agtgagaacc ccaccggccc cacagaaagc 1020 tcagaccgct cggcttcctc cctcaaccac accatcttgg ctggagttca cagcaatgac 1080 cactctgtgg tttag 1095

The encoded EDG-2 (LPA₁) receptor has an amino acid sequence according to SEQ. ID. No. 2 as follows:

MAAISTSIPV ISQPQFTAMN EPQCFYNESI AFFYNRSGKH LATEWNTVSK LVMGLGITVC 60 IFIMLANLLV MVAIYVNRRF HFPIYYLMAN LAAADFFAGL AYFYLMFNTG PNTRRLTVST 120 WLLRQGLIDT SLTASVANLL AIAIERHITV FRMQLHTRMS NRRVVVVIVV IWTMAIVMGA 180 IPSVGWNCIC DIENCSNMAP LYSDSYLVFW AIFNLVTFVV MVVLYAHIFG YVRQRTMRMS 240 RHSSGPRRNR DTMMSLLKTV VIVLGAFIIC WTPGLVLLLL DVCCPQCDVL AYEKFFLLLA 300 EFNSAMNPII YSYRDKEMSA TFRQILCCQR SENPTGPTES SDRSASSLNH TILAGVHSND 360 HSVV 364

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences for EDG-4 (LPA₂) is known and reported in An et al. (1998b) and Genbank Accession No. NM₀₀₄₇₂₀. An EDG-4 encoding nucleic acid molecule has a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ. ID. No. 3 as follows:

atggtcatca tgggccagtg ctactacaac gagaccatcg gcttcttcta taacaacagt 60 ggcaaagagc tcagctccca ctggcggccc aaggatgtgg tcgtggtggc actggggctg 120 accgtcagcg tgctggtgct gctgaccaat ctgctggtca tagcagccat cgcctccaac 180 cgccgcttcc accagcccat ctactacctg ctcggcaatc tggccgcggc tgacctcttc 240 gcgggcgtgg cctacctctt cctcatgttc cacactggtc cccgcacagc ccgactttca 300 cttgagggct ggttcctgcg gcagggcttg ctggacacaa gcctcactgc gtcggtggcc 360 acactgctgg ccatcgccgt ggagcggcac cgcagtgtga tggccgtgca gctgcacagc 420 cgcctgcccc gtggccgcgt ggtcatgctc attgtgggcg tgtgggtggc tgccctgggc 480 ctggggctgc tgcctgccca ctcctggcac tgcctctgtg ccctggaccg ctgctcacgc 540 atggcacccc tgctcagccg ctcctatttg gccgtctggg ctctgtcgag cctgcttgtc 600 ttcctgctca tggtggctgt gtacacccgc attttcttct acgtgcggcg gcgagtgcag 660 cgcatggcag agcatgtcag ctgccacccc cgctaccgag agaccacgct cagcctggtc 720 aagactgttg tcatcatcct gggggcgttc gtggtctgct ggacaccagg ccaggtggta 780 ctgctcctgg atggtttagg ctgtgagtcc tgcaatgtcc tggctgtaga aaagtacttc 840 ctactgttgg ccgaggccaa ctcactggtc aatgctgctg tgtactcttg ccgagatgct 900 gagatgcgcc gcaccttccg ccgccttctc tgctgcgcgt gcctccgcca gtccacccgc 960 gagtctgtcc actatacatc ctctgcccag ggaggtgcca gcactcgcat catgcttccc 1020 gagaacggcc acccactgat ggactccacc ctttag 1056

The encoded EDG-4 (LPA₂) receptor has an amino acid sequence according to SEQ. ID. No. 4 as follows:

MVIMGQCYYN ETIGFFYNNS GKELSSHWRP KDVVVVALGL TVSVLVLLTN LLVIAAIASN 60 RRFHQPIYYL LGNLAAADLF AGVAYLFLMF HTGPRTARLS LEGWFLRQGL LDTSLTASVA 120 TLLAIAVERH RSVMAVQLHS RLPRGRVVML IVGVWVAALG LGLLPAHSWH CLCALDRCSR 180 MAPLLSRSYL AVWALSSLLV FLLMVAVYTR IFFYVRRRVQ RMAEHVSCHP RYRETTLSLV 240 KTVVIILGAF VVCWTPGQVV LLLDGLGCES CNVLAVEKYF LLLAEANSLV NAAVYSCRDA 300 EMRRTFRRLL CCACLRQSTR ESVHYTSSAQ GGASTRIMLP ENGHPLMDST l 351

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences for EDG-7 (LPA₃) is known and reported in Bandoh et al. (1999) and Genbank Accession No. NM₀₁₂₁₅₂. An EDG-7 encoding nucleic acid molecule has a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ. ID. No. 5 as follows:

atgaatgagt gtcactatga caagcacatg gacttttttt ataataggag caacactgat 60 actgtcgatg actggacagg aacaaagctt gtgattgttt tgtgtgttgg gacgtttttc 120 tgcctgttta tttttttttc taattctctg gtcatcgcgg cagtgatcaa aaacagaaaa 180 tttcatttcc ccttctacta cctgttggct aatttagctg ctgccgattt cttcgctgga 240 attgcctatg tattcctgat gtttaacaca ggcccagttt caaaaacttt gactgtcaac 300 cgctggtttc tccgtcaggg gcttctggac agtagcttga ctgcttccct caccaacttg 360 ctggttatcg ccgtggagag gcacatgtca atcatgagga tgcgggtcca tagcaacctg 420 accaaaaaga gggtgacact gctcattttg cttgtctggg ccatcgccat ttttatgggg 480 gcggtcccca cactgggctg gaattgcctc tgcaacatct ctgcctgctc ttccctggcc 540 cccatttaca gcaggagtta ccttgttttc tggacagtgt ccaacctcat ggccttcctc 600 atcatggttg tggtgtacct gcggatctac gtgtacgtca agaggaaaac caacgtcttg 660 tctccgcata caagtgggtc catcagccgc cggaggacac ccatgaagct aatgaagacg 720 gtgatgactg tcttaggggc gtttgtggta tgctggaccc cgggcctggt ggttctgctc 780 ctcgacggcc tgaactgcag gcagtgtggc gtgcagcatg tgaaaaggtg gttcctgctg 840 ctggcgctgc tcaactccgt cgtgaacccc atcatctact cctacaagga cgaggacatg 900 tatggcacca tgaagaagat gatctgctgc ttctctcagg agaacccaga gaggcgtccc 960 tctcgcatcc cctccacagt cctcagcagg agtgacacag gcagccagta catagaggat 1020 agtattagcc aaggtgcagt ctgcaataaa agcacttcct aa 1062

The encoded EDG-7 (LPA₃) receptor has an amino acid sequence according to SEQ. ID. No. 6 as follows:

MNECHYDKHM DFFYNRSNTD TVDDWTGTKL VIVLCVGTFF CLFIFFSNSL VIAAVIKNRK 60 FHFPFYYLLA NLAAADFFAG IAYVFLMFNT GPVSKTLTVN RWFLRQGLLD SSLTASLTNL 120 LVIAVERHMS IMRMRVHSNL TKKRVTLLIL LVWAIAIFMG AVPTLGWNCL CNISACSSLA 180 PIYSRSYLVF WTVSNLMAFL IMVVVYLRIY VYVKRKTNVL SPHTSGSISR RRTPMKLMKT 240 VMTVLGAFVV CWTPGLVVLL LDGLNCRQCG VQHVKRWFLL LALLNSVVNP IIYSYKDEDM 300 YGTMKKMICC FSQENPERRP SRIPSTVLSR SDTGSQYIED SISQGACCNK STS 353

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences for PSP-24 is known and reported in Kawasawa et al. (2000) and Genbank Accession No. AB030566. A PSP-24 encoding nucleic acid molecule has a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ. ID. No. 7 as follows:

atggtcttct cggcagtgtt gactgcgttc cataccggga catccaacac aacatttgtc 60 gtgtatgaaa acacctacat gaatattaca ctccctccac cattccagca tcctgacctc 120 agtccattgc ttagatatag ttttgaaacc atggctccca ctggtttgag ttccttgacc 180 gtgaatagta cagctgtgcc cacaacacca gcagcattta agagcctaaa cttgcctctt 240 cagatcaccc tttctgctat aatgatattc attctgtttg tgtcttttct tgggaacttg 300 gttgtttgcc tcatggttta ccaaaaagct gccatgaggt ctgcaattaa catcctcctt 360 gccagcctag cttttgcaga catgttgctt gcagtgctga acatgccctt tgccctggta 420 actattctta ctacccgatg gatttttggg aaattcttct gtagggtatc tgctatgttt 480 ttctggttat ttgtgataga aggagtagcc atcctgctca tcattagcat agataggttc 540 cttattatag tccagaggca ggataagcta aacccatata gagctaaggt tctgattgca 600 gtttcttggg caacttcctt ttgtgtagct tttcctttag ccgtaggaaa ccccgacctg 660 cagatacctt cccgagctcc ccagtgtgtg tttgggtaca caaccaatcc aggctaccag 720 gcttatgtga ttttgatttc tctcatttct ttcttcatac ccttcctggt aatactgtac 780 tcatttatgg gcatactcaa cacccttcgg cacaatgcct tgaggatcca tagctaccct 840 gaaggtatat gcctcagcca ggccagcaaa ctgggtctca tgagtctgca gagacctttc 900 cagatgagca ttgacatggg ctttaaaaca cgtgccttca ccactatttt gattctcttt 960 gctgtcttca ttgtctgctg ggccccattc accacttaca gccttgtggc aacattcagt 1020 aagcactttt actatcagca caactttttt gagattagca cctggctact gtggctctgc 1080 tacctcaagt ctgcattgaa tccgctgatc tactactgga ggattaagaa attccatgat 1140 gcttgcctgg acatgatgcc taagtccttc aagtttttgc cgcagctccc tggtcacaca 1200 aagcgacgga tacgtcctag tgctgtctat gtgtgtgggg aacatcggac ggtggtgtga 1260

The encoded PSP-24 receptor has an amino acid sequence according to SEQ. ID. No. 8 as follows:

MFFSAVLTAF HTGTSNTTFV VYENTYMNIT LPPPFQHPDL SPLLRYSFET MAPTGLSSLT 60 VNSTAVPTTP AAFKSLNLPL QITLSAIMIF ILFVSFLGNL VVCLMVYQKA AMRSAINILL 120 ASLAFADMLL AVLNMPFALV TILTTRWIFG KFFCRVSAMF FWLFVIEGVA ILLIISIDRF 180 LIIVQRQDKL NPYRAKVLIA VSWATSFCVA FPLAVGNPDL QIPSRAPQCV FGYTTMPGYQ 240 AYVILISLIS FFIPFLVILY SFMGILNTLR HNALRIHSYP EGICLSQASK LGLMSLQRPF 300 QMSIDMGFKT RAFTTILILF AVFIVCWAPF TTYSLVATFS KHFYYQHNFF EISTWLLWLC 360 YLKSALNPLI YYWRIKKFHD ACLDMMPKSF KFLPQLPGHT KRRIRPSAVY VCGEHRTVV 419

LPA receptor agonists will characteristically induce LPA-like activity from an LPA receptor, which can be measured either chemically, e.g., Ca²⁺ or Cl⁻ current in oocytes, or by examining changes in cell morphology, mobility, proliferation, etc. In contrast, LPA receptor antagonists will characteristically block LPA-like activity from an LPA receptor. This too can be measured either chemically, e.g., Ca²⁺ or Cl⁻ current in oocytes, or by examining changes in cell morphology, mobility, proliferation, etc.

By virtue of the compounds of the present invention acting as LPA receptor antagonists, the present invention also relates to a method of inhibiting LPA-induced activity on an LPA receptor. This method includes providing a compound of the present invention which has activity as an LPA receptor antagonist and contacting an LPA receptor with the compound under conditions effective to inhibit LPA-induced activity of the LPA receptor. The LPA receptor can be as defined above. The LPA receptor is present on a cell which normally expresses the receptor or which heterologously expresses the receptor. The contacting of the LPA receptor with the compound of the present invention can be performed either in vitro or in vivo.

As noted above, LPA is a signaling molecule involved in a number of different cellular pathways which involve signaling through LPA receptors, including those LPA receptors described above. Therefore, it is expected that the compounds of the present invention will modulate the effects of LPA on cellular behavior, either by acting as LPA receptor antagonists or LPA receptor agonists.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of treating cancer which includes providing a compound of the present invention and administering an effective amount of the compound to a patient in a manner effective to treat cancer. The types of cancer which can be treated with the compounds of the present invention include those cancers characterized by cancer cells whose behavior is attributable at least in part to LPA-mediated activity. Typically, these types of cancer are characterized by cancer cells which express one or more types of LPA receptors. Exemplary forms of cancer include, without limitation, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and bladder cancer.

The compounds of the present invention which are particularly useful for cancer treatment are the LPA receptor antagonists.

When administering the compounds of the present invention, they can be administered systemically or, alternatively, they can be administered directly to a specific site where cancer cells are present. Thus, administering can be accomplished in any manner effective for delivering the compound to cancer cells. LPA receptor antagonists, upon binding to LPA receptors, inhibit proliferation or metastasis of the cancer cells or destroy those cancer cells. As shown in Example 12, several LPA antagonist compounds of the present invention were cytotoxic to prostate cancer cell lines which express one or more LPA receptors of the type described above.

When the LPA antagonist compounds or pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are administered to treat cancer, the pharmaceutical composition can also contain, or can be administered in conjunction with, other therapeutic agents or treatment regimen presently known or hereafter developed for the treatment of various types of cancer.

Cancer invasion is a complex multistep process in which individual cells or cell clusters detach from the primary tumor and reach the systemic circulation or the lymphatics to spread to different organs (Liotta et al., 1987). During this process, tumor cells must arrest in capillaries, extravasate, and migrate into the stroma of the tissue to make secondary foci. First, tumor cells must recognize signals on the endothelial cell that arrest them from the circulation. Second, tumor cells must attach to the basement membrane glycoprotein laminin via the cell surface laminin receptors. Following attachment to the basement membrane, tumor cells secrete proteases to degrade the basement membrane. Following attachment and local proteolysis, the third step of invasion is tumor cell migration. Cell motility plays a central role in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. The relationship between motility of tumor cells in vitro and the metastatic behavior in animal experiments indicates a strong direct correlation (Hoffman-Wellenhof et al., 1995). It is a well-documented fact that PLGFs promote proliferation and increase invasiveness of cancer cell in vitro. Imamura and colleagues established that cancer cells require serum factors for their invasion (Imamura et al., 1991), and later identified LPA as the most important serum component that is fully capable of restoring tumor cell invasion in serum-free systems (Xu et al., 1995a; Imamura et al., 1993; Mukai et al., 1993).

It has been shown that PLGFR are expressed in ovarian cancer cell lines; namely, OCC1 and HEY cells. Specifically, RT-PCR analyses show the presence of EDG-2 and EDG-7 receptors in these cell lines. Recently, Im et al. (2000) demonstrated that EDG-7 is expressed in prostate cancer cell lines; namely, PC-3 and LNCaP cells. RT-PCR analysis on the prostate cancer cell lines DU-145, PC-3, and LNCaP lines showed that EDG-2,4,5, and EDG-7 are present in all three prostate cancer cell lines, whereas EDG-3 is present in LNCaP and DU-145 prostate cancer cell lines.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of enhancing cell proliferation. This method of enhancing cell proliferation includes the steps of providing a compound of the present invention which has activity as an agonist of an LPA receptor and contacting the LPA receptor on a cell with the compound in a manner effective to enhance LPA receptor-induced proliferation of the cell.

In addition to the roles that LPA plays in modulating cancer cell activity, there is strong evidence to suggest that LPA also has a physiological role in natural wound healing. At wound sites, LPA derived from activated platelets is believed to be responsible, at least in part, for stimulating cell proliferation at the site of injury and inflammation possibly in synchronization with other platelet-derived factors (Balazs et al., 2000). Moreover, LPA by itself stimulates platelet aggregation, which may in turn be the factor that initiates an element of positive feedback to the initial aggregatory response (Schumacher et al., 1979; Tokumura et al., 1981; Gerrard et al., 1979; Simon et al., 1982).

Due to the role of LPA in cell proliferation, compounds having LPA receptor agonist activity can be used in a manner effective to promote wound healing. Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of treating a wound. This method is carried out by providing a compound of the present invention which has activity as an agonist of an LPA receptor and delivering an effective amount of the compound to a wound site, where the compound binds to LPA receptors on cells that promote healing of the wound, thereby stimulating LPA receptor agonist-induced cell proliferation to promote wound healing.

The primary goal in the treatment of wounds is to achieve wound closure. Open cutaneous wounds represent one major category of wounds and include burn wounds, neuropathic ulcers, pressure sores, venous stasis ulcers, and diabetic ulcers. Open cutaneous wounds routinely heal by a process which comprises six major components: i) inflammation, ii) fibroblast proliferation, iii) blood vessel proliferation, iv) connective tissue synthesis v) epithelialization, and vi) wound contraction. Wound healing is impaired when these components, either individually or as a whole, do not function properly. Numerous factors can affect wound healing, including malnutrition, infection, pharmacological agents (e.g., actinomycin and steroids), diabetes, and advanced age (see Hunt and Goodson, 1988).

Phospholipids have been demonstrated to be important regulators of cell activity, including mitogenesis (Xu et al., 1995b), apoptosis, cell adhesion, and regulation of gene expression. Specifically, for example, LPA elicits growth factor-like effects on cell proliferation (Moolenaar, 1996) and cell migration (Imamura et al., 1993). It has also been suggested that LPA plays a role in wound healing and regeneration (Tigyi and Miledi, 1992).

In general, agents which promote a more rapid influx of fibroblasts, endothelial and epithelial cells into wounds should increase the rate at which wounds heal.

In vitro systems model different components of the wound healing process, for example the return of cells to a “wounded” confluent monolayer of tissue culture cells, such as fibroblasts (Verrier et al., 1986), endothelial cells (Miyata et al., 1990) or epithelial cells (Kartha et al., 1992). Other systems permit the measurement of endothelial cell migration and/or proliferation (Muller et al., 1987; Sato et al., 1988).

In vivo models for wound healing are also well-known in the art, including wounded pig epidermis (Ohkawara et al., 1977) or drug-induced oral mucosal lesions in the hamster cheek pouch (Chemick et al., 1974).

The compounds of the present invention which are effective in wound healing can also be administered in combination, i.e., in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention or simultaneously administered via different routes, with a medicament selected from the group consisting of an antibacterial agent, an antiviral agent, an antifungal agent, an antiparasitic agent, an antiinflammatory agent, an analgesic agent, an antipruritic agent, or a combination thereof.

For wound healing, a preferred mode of administration is by the topical route. However, alternatively, or concurrently, the agent may be administered by parenteral, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal or transdermal routes. Alternatively, or concurrently, administration may be by the oral route. The dosage administered will be dependent upon the age, health, and weight of the recipient, kind of concurrent treatment, if any, frequency of treatment, and the nature of the effect desired.

For the preferred topical applications, especially for treatment of humans and animals having a wound, it is preferred to administer an effective amount of a compound according to the present invention to the wounded area, e.g., skin surfaces. This amount will generally range from about 0.001 mg to about 1g per application, depending upon the area to be treated, the severity of the symptoms, and the nature of the topical vehicle employed. A preferred topical preparation is an ointment wherein about 0.01 to about 50 mg of active ingredient is used per ml of ointment base, such as PEG-1000.

The present invention further provides methods of inhibiting apoptosis or preserving or restoring cell, tissue or organ function. This method is carried out by providing a compound of the present invention which has activity as an agonist of an LPA receptor and contacting a cell, tissue, or organ with an amount of the compound which is effective to inhibit apoptosis, or preserve or restore function in the cell, tissue, or organ. The contacting can be carried out in vitro (i.e., during cell culture or organ or tissue transfer) or in vivo (i.e., by administering the effective amount of the compound to a patient as indicated below).

Various indications which can be treated, include, but are not limited to, those related to apoptosis, ischemia, traumatic injury, and reperfusion damage. Those conditions related to apoptosis include, but are not limited to, dermatological effects of aging, the effects of reperfusion after an ischemic event, immunosuppression, gastrointestinal perturbations, cardiovascular disorders, rejection of tissue transplantation, wound healing, and Alzheimer's disease. The treatment can also diminish the apoptosis-related problems associated with viral infection, chemotherapeutic agents, radiation, and immunosuppressive drugs. These stimuli trigger apoptosis in a variety of disorders, including, but not limited to, those of the digestive tract tissues.

A preferred compound for practicing this aspect of the present invention is compound 8g, particularly with respect to the protection of gastroendothelial cells against chemotherapeutic- or radiation-induced apoptosis as described in the Examples herein.

The treatments are also suitable during all phases of organ transplantation. The compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor can be used to prepare the organ by administering an amount of the compound to the donor effective to stabilize or preserve the organ. The organ can be perfused and/or preserved in OPS containing the compound. The organ recipient can then be administered an amount of the compound effective to enhance organ stability and function. The compositions are also particularly suitable for use in treating cardioplegia, whether related to transplantation or other surgical intervention.

Gastrointestinal tissue damage includes, but is not limited to, damage to the lining of the gut, severe chronic ulcers, colitis, radiation induced damage, chemotherapy induced damage, and the perturbation of the gastrointestinal tract caused by parasites, and diarrhea from any other cause. Various viral and bacterial infections are known to result in gastrointestinal perturbations. The compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor are also suitable for use in treatment of the side effects associated with these infections. Such compounds are particularly suited for use in ameliorating the gastrointestinal disturbances associated with chemotherapy. Thus, such compounds are suitable for use not only in preventing the diarrhea associated with chemotherapy but also the nausea.

These compounds are particularly suited to treatment of various gastrointestinal conditions in animals, including, but not limited to livestock and domesticated animals. Such conditions, particularly diarrhea, account for the loss of many calves and puppies to dehydration and malnutrition. Treatment of gastrointestinal conditions is preferably by gastrointestinal administration. In the case of cattle and domesticated animals, an effective amount of these compounds can be conveniently mixed in with the feed. In humans, administration can be by any method known in the art of gastrointestinal administration. Preferably, administration is oral.

In addition, the compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor can be administered to immunodeficient patients, particularly HIV-positive patients, to prevent or at least mitigate apoptotic death of T cells associated with the condition, which results in the exacerbation of immunodeficiencies as seen in patients with AIDS. Preferably, administration to such patients is parenteral, but can also be transdermal or gastrointestinal.

The compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor can also be administered to treat apoptosis associated with reperfusion damage involved in a variety of conditions, including, but not limited to, coronary artery obstruction; cerebral infarction; spinal/head trauma and concomitant severe paralysis; reperfusion damage due to other insults such as frostbite, coronary angioplasty, blood vessel attachment, limb attachment, organ attachment and kidney reperfusion.

Myocardial and cerebral infarctions (stroke) are caused generally by a sudden insufficiency of arterial or venous blood supply due to emboli, thrombi, or pressure that produces a macroscopic area of necrosis; the heart, brain, spleen, kidney, intestine, lung and testes are likely to be affected. Cell death occurs in tissue surrounding the infarct upon reperfusion of blood to the area; thus, the compositions are effective if administered at the onset of the infarct, during reperfusion, or shortly thereafter. The present invention includes methods of treating reperfusion damage by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor to a patient in need of such therapy.

The invention further encompasses a method of reducing the damage associated with myocardial and cerebral infarctions for patients with a high risk of heart attack and stroke by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor to a patient in need of such therapy.

Preferably, treatment of such damage is by parenteral administration of such compounds. Any other suitable method can be used, however, for instance, direct cardiac injection in the case of myocardial infarct. Devices for such injection are known in the art, for instance the Aboject cardiac syringe.

The invention further provides methods of limiting and preventing apoptosis in cells, or otherwise preserving cells, during the culture or maintenance of mammalian organs, tissues, and cells, by the addition of an effective amount of the compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor to any media or solutions used in the art of culturing or maintaining mammalian organs, tissues, and cells.

The invention further encompasses media and solutions known in the art of culturing and maintaining mammalian organs, tissues and cells, which include an amount of the compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor which is effective to preserve or restore cell, tissue or organ function, or limit or prevent apoptosis of the cells in culture. These aspects of the invention encompass mammalian cell culture media including an effective amount of at least one compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor and the use of such media to preserve or restore cell, tissue or organ function, or to limit or prevent apoptosis in mammalian cell culture. An effective amount is one which decreases the rate of apoptosis and/or preserves the cells, tissue or organ. Such compounds can limit or prevent apoptosis under circumstances in which cells are subjected to mild traumas which would normally stimulate apoptosis. Exemplary traumas can include, but are not limited to, low level irradiation, thawing of frozen cell stocks, rapid changes in the temperature, pH, osmolarity, or ion concentration of culture media, prolonged exposure to non-optimal temperature, pH, osmolarity, or ion concentration of the culture media, exposure to cytotoxins, disassociation of cells from an intact tissue in the preparation of primary cell cultures, and serum deprivation (or growth in serum-free media).

Thus, the invention encompasses compositions comprising tissue culture medium and an effective amount of the compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor. Serum-free media to which the compositions can be added as anti-apoptotic media supplements include, but are not limited to, AIM VP Media, Neuman and Tytell's Serumless Media, Trowell's T8 Media, Waymouth's MB 752/1 and 705/1 Media, and Williams' Media E. In addition to serum-free media, suitable mammalian cell culture media to which the compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor can be added as anti-apoptotic media supplements include, but are not limited to, Basal Media Eagle's, Fischer's Media, McCoy's Media, Media 199, RPMI Media 1630 and 1640, Media based on F-10 & F-12 Nutrient Mixtures, Leibovitz's L-15 Media, Glasgow Minimum Essential Media, and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Media. Mammalian cell culture media to which the compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor can be added further include any media supplement known in the art. Exemplary supplements include, but are not limited to, sugars, vitamins, hormones, metalloproteins, antibiotics, antimycotics, growth factors, lipoproteins, and sera.

The invention further encompasses solutions for maintaining mammalian organs prior to transplantation, which solutions include an effective amount of the compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor, and the use of such solutions to preserve or restore organ function or to limit or prevent apoptosis in treated mammalian organs during their surgical removal and handling prior to transplantation. The solutions can be used to rush, perfuse and/or store the organs. In all cases, concentrations of the compounds (having agonist activity on an LPA receptor) required to limit or prevent damage to the organs can be determined empirically by one skilled in the art by methods known in the art.

In addition to the foregoing, the compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor can be topically applied to the skin to treat a variety of dermatologic conditions. These conditions include, but are not limited to, hair loss and wrinkling due to age and/or photo damage. The present invention also encompasses, therefore, methods of treating dermatological conditions. In particular, hair loss can be caused by apoptosis of the cells of the hair follicles (Stenn et al., 1994). Therefore, the compounds having agonist activity on an LPA receptor are suitable for use in topical treatment of the skin to prevent continued hair loss.

The various dermatologic conditions are preferably treated by topical application of an effective amount of a compound having agonist activity on an LPA receptor (or compositions which contain them). An effective amount of such compounds is one which ameliorates or diminishes the symptoms of the dermatologic conditions. Preferably, the treatment results in resolution of the dermatologic condition or restoration of normal skin function; however, any amelioration or lessening of symptoms is encompassed by the invention.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are intended to illustrate, but by no means are intended to limit, the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

General Methods

All reagents were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Co., Fisher Scientific (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Bedukian Research (Danbury, Conn.) and Toronto Research Chemicals (North York, ON, Canada) and were used without further purification. Phosphonate analogs were purchased from Lancaster (Pelham, N.H.; n-decyl-phosphonate (9a)), PolyCarbon (Devens, Mass.; n-dodecyl-phosphonate (9b)), Alfa Aesar (Ward Hill, Mass.; n-tetradecyl-phosphonate (9c) and n-octadecyl-phosphonate (9d)). LPA 18:1, DGPP, Ser-PA, and Tyr-PA were obtained from Avanti Polar Lipids (Alabaster, Ala.). Melting points were determined on a Thomas-Hoover capillary melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. Routine thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on 250 μM glassbacked UNIPLATES (Analtech, Newark, Del.). Flash chromatography was performed on pre-packed silica gel columns using a Horizon HPFC system (Biotage, Charlottesville, Va.). ¹H and ³1P NMR spectra were obtained on a Bruker AX 300 (Billerica, Mass.) spectrometer. Chemical shifts for ¹H NMR are reported as parts per million (ppm) relative to TMS. Chemical shifts for ³1P NMR are reported as parts per million (ppm) relative to 0.0485 M triphenylphosphate in CDCl₃. Mass spectral data was collected on a Bruker ESQUIRE electrospray/ion trap instrument in the positive and negative ion modes. Elemental analyses were performed by Atlantic Microlab Inc., Norcross, Ga.

Example 1 Synthesis of Phosphoric Acid di-tert-butyl Ester Alkenyl Esters (4a-f)

Commercially available unsaturated fatty alcohols (3a-f) were used as starting materials. To a stirred solution of alcohol (2.5 mmol) and di-tert-butyl-N,N-diisopropyl phosphoramidite (1.51 g, 4 mmol) in methylene chloride (60 mL) was added 1H-tetrazole (578 mg, 8.25 mmol). After 30 minutes of stirring the mixture was cooled to 0° C. and 0.3 mL of 50% hydrogen peroxide was added. The mixture was stirred for 1 h., diluted with methylene chloride (100 mL), washed with 10% sodium metabisulfite (2×50 ml), saturated sodium bicarbonate (2×50 ml), water (50 ml), and brine (50 ml). The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated under vacuum. The resulting crude products were purified by silica gel chromatography using hexane/ethyl acetate (7:3) to elute the desired products, di-t-Boc protected fatty alcohol phosphates (4a-f).

Phosphoric acid di-tert-butyl ester dec-9-enyl ester (4a): Isolated as clear oil (75% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ5.80 (m, 1H), 4.95 (m, 2H), 3.95 (q, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.03 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.65 (quintet, 2H), 1.48 (s, 18H), 1.30 (br s, 10H); ³1P NMR (CDCl₃): δ7.90; MS: [M+²³Na] at m/z 371.3.

Phosphoric acid di-tert-butyl ester dec-4-enyl ester (4b): Isolated as clear oil (68% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ5.25 (m, 2H), 3.84 (q, J=6.8 Hz, 2H), 2.05 (q, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.98 (q, J=6.8 Hz, 2H), 1.61 (quintet, 2H), 1.42 (s, 18H), 1.22 (br s, 6H), 0.80 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H); ³1P NMR (MeOH-d₄): δ7.90; MS: [M+²³Na] at m/z 371.3.

Phosphoric acid di-tert-butyl ester dodec-9-enyl ester (4c): Isolated as clear oil (70% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ5.26 (m, 2H), 3.88 (q, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 1.94 (m, 4H), 1.59 (quintet, 2H), 1.42 (s, 18H), 1.24 (br s, 10H), 0.89 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H); ³1P NMR (CDCl₃): δ7.80; MS: [M+²³Na] at m/z 399.5.

Phosphoric acid di-tert-butyl ester tetradec-9-enyl ester (4d): Isolated as clear oil (68% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ5.34 (t, J=5.2 Hz, 2H), 3.94 (q, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 2.01 (m, 4H), 1.65 (quintet, 2H), 1.48 (s, 18H), 1.30 (br s, 18H), 0.90 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H); ³1P NMR (CDCl₃): δ7.90; MS: [M+²³Na] at m/z 427.4.

Phosphoric acid di-tert-butyl ester tetradec-11-enyl ester (4e): Isolated as clear oil (82% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ5.34 (m, 2H), 3.94 (q, J=6.5 Hz, 2H), 2.01 (m, 4H), 1.65 (quintet, 2H), 1.48 (s, 18H), 1.23 (br s, 14H), 0.95 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H); ³1P NMR (CDCl₃): δ8.10; MS: [M+²³Na] at m/z 427.4.

Phosphoric acid di-tert-butyl ester octadec-9-enyl ester (4f): Isolated as clear oil (72% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ5.34 (m, 2H), 3.94 (q, J=6.9 Hz, 2H), 2.01 (m, 4H), 1.66 (quintet, 2H), 1.48 (s, 18H), 1.28 (br s, 22H), 0.88 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 3H); ³1P NMR (CDCl₃): δ8.10; MS: [M+²³Na] at m/z 483.5.

Example 2 Synthesis of Phosphoric Acid Mono Alkenyl Esters (5a-f)

The Boc-protected FAPs (4a-f) were deprotected with TFA to yield the corresponding unsaturated FAPs (5a-f). To a solution of 100 mg of 1a-6a in methylene chloride (20 mL), trifluoroacetic acid (0.3 mL) was added. The mixture was allowed to stir for 4 h., and TLC showed the completion of the reaction. Solvents were evaporated; the residue was washed with methylene chloride (2×20 mL), and concentrated under vacuum to yield the desired phosphoric acid mono alkenyl esters as colorless oils.

Phosphoric acid monodec-9-enyl ester (5a): Isolated as an oil (85%). ¹H NMR (MeOH-d₄): δ5.74 (m, 1H), 4.88 (m, 2H), 3.90 (q, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 2.01 (q, J=6.9 Hz, 2H), 1.61 (quintet, 2H), 1.28 (br s, 10H); ³1PNMR (MeOH-d₄): δ17.84; MS: [M−H]- at m/z 235.2. Anal. (C10H₂₁O₄P.0.1H₂O)C, H.

Phosphoric acid monodec-4-enyl ester (5b): Isolated as an oil (78%). ¹H NMR (MeOH-d₄): δ5.31 (m, 2H), 3.84 (q, J=6.8 Hz, 2H), 2.05 (q, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.98 (q, J=6.8 Hz, 2H), 1.61 (quintet, 2H), 1.22 (br s, 6H), 0.80 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H); ³1P NMR (MeOH-d₄): δ17.45; MS: [M−H]- at m/z 235.2. Anal. (C10H₂₁O₄P.0.5H₂O)C, H.

Phosphoric acid monododec-9-enyl ester (5c): Isolated as an oil (82%). ¹H NMR (DMSO/MeOH-d₄): δ5.28 (m, 2H), 3.82 (q, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 1.96 (m, 4H), 1.54 (m, 2H), 1.25 (br s, 10H), 0.88 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H); ³1P NMR (MeOH-d₄): A 16.22; MS: [M−H]- at m/z 263.0. Anal. (C₁₂H₂₅O₄P.0.6H₂O)C, H.

Phosphoric acid monotetradec-9-enyl ester (5d): Isolated as an oil (84%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃/MeOH-d₄): δ5.21 (m, 2H), 3.84 (q, J=6.5 Hz, 2H), 1.91 (m, 4H), 1.54 (m, 2H), 1.20 (br s, 14H), 0.78 (m, 3H); ³1P NMR (MeOH-d₄): A 16.20; MS: [M−H]- at m/z 291.4. Anal. (C14H₂₉O₄P.0.25H₂O)C, H.

Phosphoric acid monotetradec-11-enyl ester (5e): Isolated as an oil (78%). ¹H NMR (MeOH-d₄): δ5.24 (m, 2H), 3.88 (q, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 1.95 (m, 4H), 1.58 (m, 2H), 1.25 (br s, 14H), 0.86 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ³1P NMR (MeOH-d₄): δ16.20; MS: [M−H]- at m/z 291.3. Anal. (C₁₄H₂₉O₄P)C, H.

Phosphoric acid monooctadec-9-enyl ester (5f): Isolated as an oil (86%). ¹H NMR (MeOH-d₄): δ5.30 (m, 2H), 3.91 (q, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 2.00 (m, 4H), 1.62 (quintet, 2H), 1.26 (br s, 22H), 0.86 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 3H); ³1p NMR (MeOH-d₄): δ16.21; MS: [M−H]- at m/z 347.4. Anal. (C18H₃₇O₄P.0.4H₂O)C, H.

Example 3 Synthesis of Thiophosphoric Acid O,O′-bis-(2-cyano-ethyl)Ester O″-alkyl/alkenyl Esters (7a-g)

Commercially available saturated or unsaturated fatty alcohols (6a-g) were used as starting materials. A solution of alcohol (2.0 mmol), bis-(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropyl phosphoramidite (1.085 g, 4 mmol) and 1H-tetrazole (420 mg, 6 mmol) was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature, followed by the addition of elemental sulfur (200 mg) and the mixture was refluxed for 2 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and solvents were evaporated under vacuum. Addition of ethyl acetate (30 mL) precipitated excess sulfur, which was filtered out, and the solvent was evaporated to give the crude mixture. The mixture was purified by flash chromatography to give the desired products as colorless oils.

Thiophosphoric acid O,O′-bis-(2-cyano-ethyl)ester 0″-decyl ester (7a):

Isolated as colorless oil (72% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ4.21-4.35 (m, 4H), 4.12 (m, 2H), 2.8 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 4H), 1.68 (quintet, 2H), 1.26 (br s, 14H), 0.88 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 3H); MS: [M+²³Na] at m/z 383.4.

Thiophosphoric acid O,O′-bis-(2-cyano-ethyl)ester O″-dodecyl ester (7b): Isolated as colorless oil (84% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ4.26-4.33 (m, 4H), 4.12 (m, 2H), 2.8 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 4H), 1.71 (quintet, 2H), 1.26 (br s, 14H), 0.88 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 3H); MS: [M+²³Na] at m/z 411.4.

Thiophosphoric acid O,O′-bis-(2-cyano-ethyl)ester 0″-tetradecyl ester (7c): Isolated as clear oil (82% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ4.25-4.33 (m, 4H), 4.12 (m, 2H), 2.8 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 4H), 1.71 (quintet, 2H), 1.26 (br s, 18H), 0.88 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 3H); MS: [M+²³Na] at m/z 439.5.

Thiophosphoric acid O,O′-bis-(2-cyano-ethyl)ester O″-dec-9-enyl ester (7d): Isolated as clear oil (76% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ5.81 (m, 1H), 4.96 (m, 2H), 4.22-4.32 (m, 4H), 4.11 (m, 2H), 2.8 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 4H), 2.01 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 4H), 1.70 (quintet, 2H), 1.31 (br s, 10H); MS: [M+²³Na] at m/z 381.3.

Thiophosphoric acid O,O′-bis-(2-cyano-ethyl)ester O″-dodec-9-enyl ester (7e): Isolated as clear oil (80% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ5.34 (m, 2H), 4.25-4.33 (m, 4H), 4.11 (m, 2H), 2.8 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 4H), 2.07 (m, 2H), 1.70 (quintet, 2H), 1.31 (br s, 10H), 0.96 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H); MS: [M+²³Na) at m/z 409.5.

Thiophosphoric acid O,O′-bis-(2-cyano-ethyl)ester O″-tetradec-9-enyl ester (70: Isolated as clear oil (75% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ5.35 (m, 2H), 4.25-4.33 (m, H), 4.12 (m, 2H), 2.78 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 4H), 2.02 (m, 2H), 1.71 (quintet, 2H), 1.31 (br s, 14H), 0.90 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H); MS: [M+²³Na] at m/z 437.5.

Thiophosphoric acid O,O′-bis-(2-cyano-ethyl)ester O″-octadec-9-enyl ester (7g): Isolated as clear oil (72% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ5.35 (m, 2H), 4.27-4.31 (m, 4H), 4.12 (m, 2H), 2.78 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 4H), 2.02 (m, 2H), 1.71 (quintet, 2H), 1.27 (br s, 22H), 0.88 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H); MS: [M+²³Na] at m/z 493.5.

Example 4 Synthesis of Thiophosphoric Acid O-alkyl/alkenyl Esters (8a-g)

Thiophosphoric acid O,O′-bis-(2-cyano-ethyl)ester 0″-alkyl/alkenyl esters (7a-7g) were used as starting materials. A solution of 100 mg of 7a-7g in methanolic KOH (10 mL) was stirred for 2 h., and TLC showed the completion of the reaction. The solvent was evaporated to give the crude product, which was dissolved in water (20 mL), and acidified with HCl. The aqueous mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×50 mL), organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum to give the desired compound as light yellow colored oil.

Thiophosphoric acid O-decyl ester (8a): Isolated as light yellow colored oil (80% yield). ¹H NMR (DMSO): δ3.86 (m, 2H), 1.56 (quintet, 2H), 1.24 (br s, 14H), 0.86 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 3H); MS: [M−H]- at m/z 253.2. Anal. (C10H₂₃O₃PS)C, H.

Thiophosphoric acid O-dodecyl ester (8b): Isolated as light yellow colored oil (73% yield). ¹H NMR (DMSO): δ3.84 (m, 2H), 1.56 (quintet, 2H), 1.24 (br s, 18H), 0.83 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 3H); MS: [M−H]- at m/z 280.9. Anal. (C₁₂H₂₇O₃PS.0.5H₂O)C, H

Thiophosphoric acid O-tetradecyl ester (8c): Isolated as light yellow colored oil (70% yield). ¹H NMR (DMSO): δ3.85 (m, 2H), 1.56 (quintet, 2H), 1.24 (br s, 22H), 0.85 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 3H); MS: [M−H]- at m/z 309.4. Anal. (C₁₄H₃₁O₃PS.0.25H₂O)C, H.

Thiophosphoric acid O-dec-9-enyl ester (8d): Isolated as light yellow colored oil (76% yield). ¹H NMR (DMSO): δ5.79 (m, 1H), 4.94 (m, 2H), 3.85 (m, 2H), 2.01 (q, J=6.6 Hz, 4H), 1.55 (quintet, 2H), 1.26 (br s, 10H); MS: [M−H]- at m/z 251.1. Anal. (C10H₂₁O₃PS)C, H.

Thiophosphoric acid O-dodec-9-enyl ester (8e): Isolated as light yellow colored oil (80% yield). ¹H NMR (DMSO): Δ 5.31 (m, 2H), 3.85 (q, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 1.99 (m, 4H), 1.56 (quintet, 2H), 1.26 (br s, 10H), 0.91 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H); MS: [M−H]- at m/z 279.5. Anal. (C₁₂H₂₅O₃PS0.35H₂O)C, H.

Thiophosphoric acid O-tetradec-9-enyl ester (8f): Isolated as light yellow colored oil (72% yield). ¹H NMR (DMSO): δ5.32 (m, 2H), 3.85 (m, 2H), 1.98 (m, 4H), 1.55 (quintet, 2H), 1.26 (br s, 14H), 0.86 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 3H); MS: [M−H]- at m/z 307.5. Anal. (C14H₂₉O₃PS.0.3H₂O)C, H.

Thiophosphoric acid O-octadec-9-enyl ester (8g): Isolated as light yellow colored oil (82% yield). ¹H NMR (DMSO): δ5.32 (m, 2H), 3.85 (m, 2H), 1.97 (m, 4H), 1.55 (quintet, 2H), 1.24 (br s, 22H), 0.85 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 3H); MS: [M−H]- at m/z 363.5. Anal. (C₁₈H₃₇O₃PS.0.3H₂O)C, H.

Example 5 Synthesis of (1,1-Difluoro-pentadecyl)Phosphonic Acid Diethyl Ester (10)

To a solution of diethyl difluoromethanephosphonate (1.0 g, 5.316 mmol) in THF (50 mL) 2 M LDA (626 mg, 5.847 mmol) was added at −78° C. and stirred for 30 min. Tetradecyl bromide (1.474 g, 5.316 mmol) in THF (10 mL) was added to the mixture at −78° C. and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight. THF was evaporated and the residual oil was purified by flash chromatography using 30% ethyl acetate in hexane as eluent to give 817 mg (40%) of compound 10 as colorless oil. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ4.26 (m, 4H), 2.05 (m, 2H), 1.56 (m, 2H), 1.37 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 6H), 1.25 (br s, 22H), 0.87 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 3H); MS: [M+²³Na] at m/z 407.2.

Example 6 Synthesis of (1,1-Difluoro-pentadecyl)Phosphonic Acid (11)

To a solution of vacuum dried 10 (225 mg, 0.585 mmol) in methylene chloride (5 mL) bromotrimethyl silane (895 mg, 5.85 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature. TLC showed completion of the reaction after 6 h. Solvents were removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was stirred in 95% methanol (3 mL) for 1 h. The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure, dried under vacuum to give 150 mg (78%) of 11 as light yellow solid. mp 66-69° C.; ₁H NMR (CD₃OD): δ2.03 (m, 2H), 1.59 (m, 2H), 1.24 (br s, 22H), 0.90 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 3H); MS: [M−H]- at m/z 327.3. Anal. (C15H₃]F₂O₃P.0.2H₂O)C, H.

Example 7 Analysis of Compounds for LPA Receptor Agonist or Antagonist Activity

Compounds were tested for their ability to induce or inhibit LPA-induced calcium transients in RH7777 rat hepatoma cells stably expressing LPA₁, LPA₂, and LPA₃ receptors and in PC-3 that express LPA₁₋₃ endogenously, using a FlexStation II automated fluorometer (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.) (Fischer et al., 2001; Virag et al., 2003).

RH7777 cells stably expressing either LPA₁, LPA₂ or LPA₃ (Fischer et al 2001; Virag et al., 2003) or PC-3 cells were plated on poly-D lysine-coated black wall clear bottom 96-well plates (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, Calif.) with a density of 50000 cells/well, and cultured overnight. The culture medium (DMEM containing 10% FBS) was then replaced with modified Krebs solution (120 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 0.62 mM MgSO₄, 1.8 mM CaCl₂, 10 mM HEPES, 6 mM glucose, pH 7.4) and the cells were serum starved for 6-8 hours (12 h for PC-3 cells). Cells were loaded with Fura-2 AM for 35 minutes in modified Krebs medium. The Fura-2 was removed before loading the plate in the FlexStation instrument by replacing the medium once again with 100 μl modified Krebs medium/well. Plates were incubated for 4 minutes in the instrument to allow for warming to 37° C. Changes in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration were monitored by measuring the ratio of emitted light intensity at 520 nm in response to excitation by 340 nm and 380 nm wavelength lights, respectively. Each well was monitored for 80-120 seconds. 500 of the test compound (3× stock solution in modified Krebs) was added automatically to each well 15 seconds after the start of the measurement. Time courses were recorded using the SoftMax Pro software (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.). Ca⁺ transients were quantified automatically by calculating the difference between maximum and baseline ratio values for each well.

Selected compounds were tested for PPARγ activation in CV1 cells, transfected with an acyl-coenzyme A oxidase-luciferase (PPRE-Acox-Rluc) reporter gene construct as previously reported (Zhang et al., 2004). The assay of PPARγ activation in CV1 cells was run as reported in Zhang et al. Briefly, CV-1 cells were plated in 96-well plates (5×10₃ cells per well) in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. The next day, the cells were transiently transfected with 125 ng of pGL3-PPRE-Acox-Rluc, 62.5 ng of pcDNAI-PPARγ, and 12.5 ng of pSV-β-galactosidase (Promega, Madison, Wis.) using LipofectAMINE 2000 (Invitrogen). Twenty-four hours after System (Promega) and the Galacto-Light Plus™ System (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.), respectively, samples were run in quadruplicate and the mean±standard errors were calculated. Data are representative of at least two independent transfections. Student's t-test was used for null hypothesis testing and P<0.05 was considered transfection, cells were treated with 1% FBS supplemented OptiMEMI (Invitrogen) containing DMSO or 10 μM test compound dissolved in DMSO for 20 h. Luciferase and 13-galactosidase activities were measured with the Steady-Glo®Luciferase Assay as significant (in the figures P<0.05 is denoted by * and P<0.01 is **).

According to the original two-point contact model (Wang et al., 2001; Sardar et al., 2002), both a polar phosphate head group and a hydrophobic tail are required for specific interactions with the LPA GPCRs (Fischer et al., 2001). The phosphate group was identified as a necessary component that interacts with two positively charged conserved amino acid residues in the third and seventh transmembrane helices of the LPA receptors (Wang et al., 2001). The hydrophobic tail interacts with a pocket of hydrophobic residues in the transmembrane regions of the receptors, significantly contributing to the ligand-receptor binding (Wang et al., 2001; Sardar et al., 2002).

Based on this model the inventors identified DGPP and dioctyl phosphatidic acid as selective LPA₁ and LPA₃ antagonists and FAPs as subtype selective agonists/antagonists of LPA₁₋₃ receptors (Fischer et al., 2001; Virag et al., 2003). Bandoh et al. (2000) showed that LPA₃ prefers unsaturated fatty acyl LPA species over saturated LPAs. Replacement of the phosphate with a phosphonate renders compounds metabolically stable against degradation by lipid phosphate phosphatases. Phosphonate modification also affects ligand-receptor interactions by reducing charge density on the polar head group. Phosphonate analogs of LPA have been studied recently and are less potent than LPA (Hooks et al., 2001; Xu et al., 2002). Alternatively, thiophosphate in place of phosphate yielded metabolically stable compounds with increased charge on the polar head group such as OMPT, a selective LPA₃ agonist (Hasegawa et al., 2003; Qian et al., 2003).

To explore the effects of these modifications along with the variations in the side chain in the FAP structure, the inventors synthesized a series of FAP analogs with an unsaturation at different positions in the sidechain (5a-f), thiophosphates (8a-g) and phosphonates (9ad, 11). These new analogs were evaluated as agonists and antagonists with respect to LPA₁₋₃. Saturated FAP analogs containing 10, 12 or 14 carbons (2a-c) were previously shown to be the most effective agonists and/or inhibitors at LPA₁₋₃ in the initial study (Virag et al., 2003). For this reason the inventors synthesized and characterized modified FAP analogs with these optimum chain lengths. Each FAP analog was tested for the ability to induce Ca²⁺ transients in RH7777 cells transfected with LPA₁₋₃ receptors (agonism), as well as the ability to inhibit LPA-induced Ca²⁺ transients in the same cells (antagonism) (see Table 3). None of the compounds examined in this study induced intracellular Ca²⁺ transients when applied up to a concentration of 30 μM in non-transfected RH7777 cells. The effects of unsaturation at different positions, modification of head group by phosphonate, difluoro phosphonate and thiophosphate with/without unsaturation on the activity of C-14 analogs at LPA₁₋₃ receptors are shown in FIG. 2. These modifications dramatically changed the pharmacological properties of FAPs on LPA₁₋₃ receptors. The mono-unsaturated FAP analogs (5a-e) showed a trend of increasing the potency and/or efficacy when compared to the saturated analogs, except C-10 analogs, without changing their ligand properties as agonists or antagonists at the LPA₂ and LPA₃ receptors (Table 3). The position of the double bond also had an impact on the activity. Comparison of the activities between decenyl regio isomers 5a and 5b, suggests that the C₉=C₁₀ double bond, as found in LPA 18:1, was preferred over C₄=C₅ in activating LPA₂ receptor (EC₅₀=3800 nM for 5a versus >10000 nM for 5b). Though 5b (K_(i)=370 nM) was moderately more active than 5a (K_(i)=504 nM), the preference for the double bond position was much less pronounced for inhibition of LPA₃ receptor.

Similarly, the LPA₂ receptor showed preference for C₉=C₁₀ unsaturation between the tetradecenyl isomers 5d (EC₅₀=397 nM) and 5e (EC₅₀=4100 nM), and LPA₃ showed no significant preference for double bond position. In contrast, LPA₁ preferred C₁₁=C₁₂ over C₉=C₁₀ between 5d (K_(i)=1146 nM) and 5e (K_(i)=457 nM), indicating the possibility of a differential conformational requirement in the side chain for each of the three LPA receptors (FIG. 2). In the unsaturated series, only tetradecenyl compounds (5d, 5e) antagonized the LPA response at LPA₁ receptor. This further supports our belief that the length of the side chain is critical for interaction with LPA receptors.

The replacement of phosphate with a thiophosphate as the headgroup in 10-, 12-, and 14-carbon saturated FAP analogs (8a-c) had a major impact on their agonist/antagonist properties at all three LPA receptor subtypes. At LPA₁, the thiophosphate modification completely abolished the inhibitory effects of the original FAP analogs. At LPA₂ on the other hand, the thiophosphate invariably increased the efficacy of the original FAP to 100%. At the LPA₃ receptor, the saturated thiophosphate FAP analogs consistently showed improved inhibition of the LPA response compared to the original FAPs. Dodecyl-thiophosphate (8b) is the most potent agonist and antagonist in the saturated thiophosphate analogs at LPA₂ (EC₅₀=1000 nM) and LPA₃ (K_(i)=14 nM), respectively. These results are consistent with our two-point contact model as the increase in the charge density, influenced by the properties of the hydrophobic tail, increased the agonist or antagonist properties of the FAP.

Next, we investigated the effect of combining a thiophosphate headgroup with mono-unsaturation (C₉=C₁₀) in the side chain. The combination of the thiophosphate headgroup with C₉=C₁₀ unsaturation resulted in analogs (8d-8f) with agonist/antagonist properties that were the combined properties of the saturated thiophosphates and unsaturated FAPs substantially lowering the EC₅₀ and IC₅₀ values. Similar to the saturated thio analogs, compounds 8d-8f were inactive at LPA₁ receptor. When the effects of saturated and unsaturated C₁₂, C₁₄ thiophosphates at LPA₂ and LPA₃ are compared, there is an increase in potency with the unsaturated analogs at LPA₂ with a minimal change in the potency at LPA₃ receptor. The tetradec-9-enyl thiophosphate (8f) compound needs to be discussed separately. It has retained the features of the saturated thio analogs at LPA₁, as it had no effect on the LPA-induced Ca²⁺ mobilization. On the other hand, at 8f was found to be the best agonist at LPA₂ (EC₅₀=480 nM) and most potent antagonist at LPA₃ (K₁=14 nM) among all C-10, -12, and -14 thiophosphate analogs (FIGS. 2B and 2D). Dodec-9-enyl analog (8e) was an equipotent antagonist as 8f at the LPA₃ receptor. These differences in the effects of the thiophosphate analogs at the LPA receptor subtypes may provide us with a practical advantage in developing future subtype-selective agonists and antagonists, as short-chain thiophosphates interact selectively with LPA₂ and LPA₃ receptors.

Oleoyl-phosphate (50, an unsaturated FAP analog of oleoly-LPA, did not inhibit nor did it activate Ca²⁺ mobilization in cells expressing LPA₁₋₃. However, it potentiated LPA response at all three LPA receptors when the two compounds were co-applied. This observation led us to the hypothesis that by increasing the charge density of the 5f headgroup by replacing the phosphate with a thiophosphate, we may increase the binding of this compound to the receptors that is essential to turn this analog into an agonist. To test this hypothesis, we synthesized and evaluated the oleoylthiophosphate (8g) at LPA₁₋₃ receptors. In agreement with our prediction, compound 8g was a partial agonist at LPA₁ (EC₅₀ (E_(max))=193 nM (80%)), and LPA₃ (EC₅₀ (E_(max))=546 nM (78%)), and a potent and full agonist at LPA₂ with the EC₅₀ of 244 nM (E_(max)=175% of LPA response), lower than that of oleoyl-LPA (EC₅₀=300 nM). The dose responses of 8g, comparing its effects with LPA 18:1 at LPA₁₋₃ receptors, are shown in FIG. 3.

The phosphonate analogs (9a-d) were weaker inhibitors and agonists at the LPA receptors than their phosphate counterparts, consistent with data reported previously (Hooks et al., “Lysophosphatidic Acid-Induced Mitogenesis Is Regulated by Lipid Phosphate Phosphatases and Is Edg-Receptor Independent,” J. Biol. Chem. 276:4611-4621 (2001)). However, tetradecyl-phosphonate (9c) inhibited LPA-induced Ca²⁺ mobilization at all three receptor subtypes with IC₅₀ values in the micromolar range, thus becoming the first pan antagonist of the EDG family LPA receptors (FIG. 2). The importance of this finding is twofold. Compound 9c is the only known inhibitor of the LPA₂ receptor subtype apart from Ki16425 that exerts only a modest and partial inhibition (Ohta et al., 2003). Compound 9c, with a simpler structure and phosphonate headgroup, is presumably resistant to degradation by lipid phosphate phosphatases. These features make this molecule a good lead structure for further development of pan-antagonists for the LPA₁₋₃ receptors. We synthesized compound II, a difluorophosphonate analog of compound 9c, with an isosteric replacement of phosphonate by difluorophosphonate and tested at LPA₁₋₃ receptors. This compound retains the metabolic stability against phosphatases and at the same time increases the acidity of the phosphonate group, which presumably increases the binding to the receptor. Increase in the acidity of phosphonate group by the two fluorine atoms in compound II reversed the compound from an antagonist to a weak and partial agonist with an EC₅₀ of 10 μM (E_(max)=40%) at LPA₂ receptor. Compound II showed improved antagonistic activity at LPA₃ (K_(i)=575 nM) compared to 9c (K_(i)=1120 nM), while it showed partial antagonism (≈K_(i)=788 nM; 40% inhibition of LPA response) at LPA₁.

LPA was shown to activate mitogenic and motogenic signaling in PC-3 cells (Kue et al., 2002). RT-PCR analysis of PC-3 cells, an androgen-independent human prostate cancer cell line, showed expression of transcripts encoding all three LPA receptors (Daaka et al., 2002). We tested the FAP analogs in PC-3 cells, which unlike the transfected RH7777 cells endogenously express LPA₁₋₃ receptors. Since PC-3 cells express LPA₁₋₃ receptors, the effects shown by the FAP compounds (Table 3) represent the combination of the effects of these compounds at the three LPA receptors. These experiments confirmed the pharmacological properties of the FAP analogs obtained from RH7777 cells expressing each LPA receptor individually. Thiophosphate analogs (8e and 8f) showed both independent activation and inhibition of LPA-induced Ca²⁺ transients in PC-3 cells as they have different effects at each of the LPA₁₋₃ receptors. Oleoyl-thiophosphate (8g) showed a maximal response of 30% of maximal LPA response, with no inhibition of LPA response, consistent with data from transfected RH7777 cells. Similarly the inhibitory activity shown by other compounds (Table 3) is a combination of effects of these compounds at individual LPA_(1.3) receptors. The consistency of the results obtained from PC-3 cells that endogenously express LPA receptors with those results obtained using transfected RH7777 cells validates our assay systems.

To compare the effects of these FAP analogs at LPA receptors with the other available agonists and antagonists, we tested DGPP 8:0, Ki16425, N-acyl serine phosphoric acid (Ser-PA), N-acyl tyrosine phosphoric acid (Tyr-PA), and VPC12249 in our RH7777 cell system. This comparison, where a single test system is used for all compounds, has the benefit of providing us with reliable information on the relative effectiveness of these compounds despite the inherent shortcomings the individual test systems may have. Our results were consistent with previously published data for DGPP 8:0, Ser-PA and Ki16425, however we encountered differences for Tyr-PA, and VPC12249 (Table 3). DGPP 8:0 was identified in our lab as a subtype-selective inhibitor for LPA₃ and LPA₁, with K_(i) values of 106 nM and 6.6 μM, respectively (Fischer et al., 2001). In order to test our high throughput test system we evaluated the effects of DGPP 8:0 in the same stably transfected RH7777 cell lines. The K_(i) values were 202 nM for LPA₃ and 4.3 μM for LPA₁ (Table 3). These results convincingly showed the reproducibility of the DGPP results, even after the modification of the original assay method. Ki16425 was synthesized and identified as a subtype-selective antagonist for LPA₁ and LPA₃ with a very weak inhibitory effect on LPA₂ with K_(i) values 250 nM, 360 nM, and 5.6 μM, respectively, using GTPγS loading assay in HEK293T cells transfected with LPA receptors (Ohta et al., 2003). When this compound was tested in our high throughput intracellular Ca²⁺ monitoring system, we obtained similar K_(i) values for LPA₁ (425 nM) and LPA₃ (148 nM), however Ki16425 seemed to inhibit LPA₃ slightly better compared to LPA₁ (Table 3). N-acyl serine phosphoric acid and N-acyl tyrosine phosphoric acid were originally identified as inhibitors of LPA-induced platelet aggregation (Sugiura et al., 1994) and inhibitors of the LPA induced current in Xenopus oocytes (Liliom et al., 1996). In a mammalian cell line, however, Ser-PA was found to be an LPA-like agonist (Hooks et al., 1998). It was also shown to be an agonist at LPA₁ and LPA₂ when these receptor subtypes were heterologously expressed in TAg-Jurkat T-cells (An et al., 1998b). In our experiments Ser-PA was a full agonist at LPA₁ (EC₅₀=1.85 μM), but only a weak agonist at LPA₂. At LPA₃, Ser-PA was also a weak but full agonist with an EC₅₀ value of 1.6 μM (Table 3).

An et al. (1998b) showed that Tyr-PA did not affect LPA signaling at LPA₁ and LPA₂ receptors when applied at a concentration of 1 μM. Tyr-PA in our experiments had no effect on LPA₁, however it was found to be a weak agonist at LPA₂ (EC₅₀=11 μM) and an inhibitor at LPA₃ (K_(i)=2.3 μM) as shown in Table 3. VPC12249 is a 2-substituted analog of the N-acyl ethanolamide phosphate that was identified as a subtype-selective inhibitor of the LPA₁ and LPA₃ receptors, using a GTPγS-loading assay with cell membranes isolated from HEK293T cells expressing LPA₁, LPA₂, or LPA₃. VPC12249 was a better antagonist at LPA₁ (K_(i)=137 nM) than at LPA₃ (K_(i)=428 nM) (Heise et al. 2001). In our experiments however VPC12249 was only a weak inhibitor at LPA₁ and a better inhibitor at LPA₃ with a K_(i) value of 588 nM (Table 3). This value is reasonably close to the published data in addition to the observation that VPC12249 did not affect LPA signaling through LPA₂ (Table 3). Analogous to the FAPs, these compounds also showed effects that are combination of effects at three LPA receptors on PC-3 cells, further validating our assay system.

In addition to its plasma membrane receptors, LPA was shown to be an agonist of the nuclear transcription factor PPARγ (McIntyre et al., 2003). Many agents have been reported to activate PPARγ, including thiazolidinedione family represented by Rosiglitazone, oxidized phospholipids, fatty acids, eicosanoids, and oxidized LDL. Zhang et al showed that unsaturated and alkyl ether analogs of LPA, 1,1-difluorodeoxy-(2R)-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate, its mono-fluoro analog 1-palmitoyl-(2R)-fluorodeoxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphate, and the oxidized phosphatidylcholine 1-O-hexadecyl-2-azeleoyl-phosphatidylcholine induced neointima formation, an early step leading to the development of atherogenic plaques, through PPARγ activation (Zhang et al., 2004).

The SAR of neointima formation by LPA analogs in vivo was identical to PPARγ activation in vitro and different from LPA G-protein coupled receptors (Zhang et al., 2004). We tested selected compounds including FAP-12 (2b), unsaturated thiophosphate analogs (8d-g), tetradecylphosphonate 9c, previously reported LPA₁/LPA₃ antagonists DGPP, Ki16425, VPC12249, and thiophosphate analog OMPT, a selective LPA₃ agonist, for PPARγ activation in vitro in CV1 cells using the PPRE-Acox-Rluc reporter gene assay. Interestingly, results from this assay (FIG. 4) indicate that along with previously reported agonists (OMPT) and antagonists (DGPP, Ki16425, VPC12249) FAP analogs, which have LPA₁₋₃ agonist/antagonist activities, can activate PPRE-Acox-Rluc reporter. These results are consistent with previously reported results (Zhang et al., 2004) in that LPA GPCR ligands can activate PPARγ. However, the results also emphasize that the SAR of PPARγ activation is different from GPCRs.

The present study extended the validity of our previously described two-point contact model as the minimal requirement to elicit specific interactions with LPA GPCRs, and provides further refinement of the minimal pharmacophore FAP by identifying modifications that allowed the synthesis of a pan-agonist and a pan-antagonist and several subtype-selective ligands. A systematic SAR study of the FAP pharmacophore with phosphonate, thiophosphate and introduction of unsaturation in the side chain outlined important principles for the design of subtype-selective LPA receptor agonists and antagonists. The results of the FAP analogs, and previously reported LPA agonists and antagonists by other groups, obtained from transfected RH7777 cells expressing each LPA receptor individually were consistent with results obtained from PC-3 cells that endogenously express LPA₁₋₃ receptors. In addition to their ligand properties on LPA GPCR, we showed that FAPs also activate nuclear transcription factor PPARγ with an SAR different from LPA GPCR. Based on the principles that emerged from SAR of FAP-12, oleoyl-thiophosphate (8g) was synthesized and identified as a novel pan-agonist at all three LPA receptors confirming the previously predicted necessity for an LPA₁₋₃ agonist to possess both appropriate charge and side chain (length and unsaturation). Tetradecyl-phosphonate (9c) was identified as a metabolically stable first pan-antagonist that could serve as a lead structure for further development of LPA₁₋₃ receptor antagonists that are not sensitive to degradation by lipid phosphate phosphatases. Our results provide the first comprehensive evaluation of LPA-GPCR ligands as agonists of PPARγ. It was an unexpected surprise that with the exception of VPC12249 all other analogs, regardless of their agonist or antagonist activity on LPA GPCR, were agonists of PPARγ.

TABLE 3 Effects of FAP analogs 5a-f, 8a-g, 9a-d and 11 on LPA₁₋₃ transfected RH7777 cells and comparison of the activities with the previously reported compounds

LPA₁ LPA₂ LPA₃ PC-3 EC₅₀ IC₅₀ EC₅₀ IC₅₀ EC₅₀ IC₅₀ EC₅₀ IC₅₀ (E_(max)) (K_(i)) (E_(max)) (K_(i)) (E_(max)) (K_(i)) (E_(max)) (K_(i)) Cmp X Y R nM nM nM nM nM nM nM nM  2a^(b) O O —(CH₂)₉CH₃ NE^(c) NE  1800 NE NE   384 ND^(d) ND    (82)  (121)  2b^(b) O O —(CH₂)₁₁CH₃ NE  2800  3100 NE NE   128 ND ND   (1354)    (50)  (61)  2c^(b) O O —(CH₂)₁₃CH₃ NE  2300 NE NE NE   422 ND ND   (1082)  (211)  5a O O —(CH₂)₈CH═CH₂ NE >10000  3800 NE NE   770 NA^(e)  1510   (100)  (504)  (574)  5b O O —(CH₂)₃CH═CH(CH₂)₄CH₃ NE >10000 >10000 NE NE   830 NA  1300  (370)  (735)  5c O O —(CH₂)₈CH═CHCH₂CH₃ NE >10000   717 NE NE   32 NA   916    (78)  (27)  (390)  5d O O —(CH2)₈CH═CH(CH₂)₃CH₃ NE  3000   397 NE NE   96 NA   241   (1146)    (58)  (58)  (123)  5e O O —(CH₂)₁₀CH═CHCH₂CH₃ NE  2200  4100 NE NE   103 ND ND   (457)    (75)  (40)  5f O O —(CH₂)₈CH═CH(CH₂)₇CH₃ NE NE NE NE NE NE — NA (11)  8a O S —(CH₂)₉CH₃ NE NE  4570 NE NE   122 NA  1220   (100)  (49)  (521)  8b O S —(CH₂)₁₁CH₃ NE NE  1000 NE NE   28 NA  2838   (100)  (14) (1300)  8c O S —(CH₂)₁₃CH₃ NE NE  2500 NE NE   162 NE NE   (100)  (76)  8d O S —(CH₂)₈CH═CH₂ NE NE >10000 NE NE   340 NA  1000    (56)  (128)   (533)  8e O S —(CH₂)₈CH═CHCH₂CH₃ NE NE   677 NE NE   27 —  2972   (100)  (14) (27) (1460)  8f O S —(CH₂)₈CH═CH(CH₂)₃CH₃ NE NE   480 NE NE   28 —   938   (150)  (14) (40)  (397)  8g O S —(CH₂)₈CH═CH(CH₂)₇CH₃ 193 NE   244 NE  546 NE — NA  (80)   (175)   (78) (30)  9a CH₂ O —(CH₂)₈CH₃ NE NE NE NE NE  1200 NA  3122  (68) (1500)  9b CH₂ O —(CH₂)₁₀CH₃ NE NE NE NE NE   654 NA  2638  (303) (1270)  9c CH₂ O —(CH₂)₁₂CH₃ NE ~10000 NE  5500 NE  3100 NA  9674 (3550) (1120) (4620)  9d CH₂ O —(CH₂)₁₆CH₃ NE NE NE NE NE NE NE NE 11 CH₂ O —(CH₂)₁₃CH₃ NE  2500 ~10000 NE NE  1513 ND ND   (788)^(f)    (40)  (575) DGPP^(g) NE  5500 NE NE NE   454 ND ND   (4300)  (202) Ki16425^(h) NE   762 NE NE NE   301 NA  3384   (425)  (148) (1740) Ser-PA 1850 NE >10000 NE 1600 NE — NA  (100)  (100) (42) Tyr-PA NE NE ~11000 NE NE  5570 — WA^(i) (2325) (25) VPC12249^(j) NE WA NE NE NE  1186 NA WA  (588) ^(a)E_(max) = maximal efficacy of the drug/maximal efficacy of LPA 18:1, expressed as the percentage. ^(b)Previously reported in Virag et al. (2003). ^(c)NE = no effect was shown at the highest concentration (30 μM) tested. ^(d)ND = not determined. ^(e)NA = not applicable. ^(f)Partial antagonist with 40% inhibition of the LPA response. ^(g)Reported Ki values of DGPP are 106 nM and 6.6 μM at LPA3 and LPA1, respectively (Hasegawa et al., 2003). ^(h)Reported Ki values of Ki16425 are 250 nM, 360 nM and 5.6 μM at LPA1, LPA3 and LPA2, respectively (Virag et al., 2003). ^(i)WA = weak antagonist. ^(j)Reported Ki values of VPC12249 are 137 nM and 428 nM at LPA1 and LPA3, respectively (Ohta et al., 2003).

Example 8 In Vitro Evaluation of Compound 8g For Protection of Intestinal Epithelial Cells Against Radiation or Chemotherapy Induced Apoptosis

The experimental procedure utilized was substantially the same as that reported in Deng et al. (2002) and Deng et al., (2003).

Basically, IEC-6 cells were grown in DMEM medium supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum, insulin (10 μg/ml), gentamycin sulfate (50 μg/ml), and incubated at 37° C. in a humidified 90% air-10% CO₂ atmosphere. Medium was changed every other day. Sub-confluent cells were washed twice and replaced by DMEM without serum the night before experiments.

Damage and IEC-6 cell apoptosis was induced via either γ-irradiation or chemotherapy. 20 Gy single dose of [¹³⁷Cs] source γ-irradiation was used in all experiments. Serum starved IEC-6 cells were pretreated with LPA, FAP12, or compound 8g (FAP 18:1d9) for 15 minutes and then irradiated with a Mark I Model 25 Gamma Irradiator (J. L. Shepherd & Associate, San Fernando, Calif.) at a rate of 416 R/min for 4.81 minutes on a rotating platform. In some experiments, LPA was added at different times before or after irradiation. Treatment with 20 μM camptothecin of IEC-6 cells induces DNA fragmentation as measured by the ELISA assay at 16 h after treatment. DNA fragmentation was quantified using the Cell Death Detection ELISA kit from Boehringer (Indianapolis, Ind.) according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Samples were run in triplicate. A duplicate of the sample was used to quantify protein concentration using the BCA kit from Pierce (Rockford, Ill.). DNA fragmentation was expressed as absorbance units per μg protein per minute.

LPA and FAP 12 (both 10 μM) inhibited Campthotecin-induced (20 μM) DNA fragmentation in IEC-6 cells. The effect of FAPs is dose dependent as illustrated for FAP 18:1d9 thiophosphate (8g) in FIG. 5 and is comparable to that of LPA but supersedes it at concentrations above 3 μM.

Example 9 In Vivo Evaluation of Compound 8g for Protection of Intestinal Epithelial Cells Against Radiation or Chemotherapy Induced Apoptosis

The experimental procedure utilized was substantially the same as that reported in Deng et al. (2002).

The whole body irradiation (WBI) protocol has been reviewed and approved by the ACUC Committee of the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. ICR strain male mice (Harlan Laboratories, body weight 30-33 g) on a 12 h light/dark cycle and otherwise maintained on a standard laboratory chow ad libitum were starved for 16 h prior to treatment. WBI was done with a 12 Gy or 15 Gy dose using Cs¹³⁷ source at a dose rate of 1.9 Gy per minute. Groups of four mice received either 250 μl of 1 mM LPA complexed with 100 μM BSA dissolved in Hanks basal salt solution or the BSA vehicle alone 2 h prior to irradiation.

For detection of the apoptotic bodies, mice were euthanized with carbon dioxide inhalation 4 h after irradiation and the small intestine was dissected and fixed in neutral phosphate buffered isotonic 10% formalin. Four ˜3- to 4-mm long segments from the small intestine were embedded in paraffin, 5 μM thick sections were cut and stained with hematoxilin and eosin. The number of surviving crypts was counted 3.5 days after irradiation.

FAP 18:1d9 (200 μM into the stomach 2 h prior irradiation) significantly (P>0.01) enhanced crypt survival in the irradiated animals (FIG. 6). The effect of PAP was dose-dependent (FIG. 7). The effect of FAP 18:1d9 was present in the jejunum and ileum and exceeded that of LPA (FIG. 8).

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1. A method for treating diarrhea in a human or animal subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I)

wherein, X¹ is R¹—Y¹-A-; X² is —Z¹—P(S)(OH)₂; X³ is hydrogen; A is a direct link, (CH₂)_(k) with k being an integer from 1-30, or O; Y¹ is (CH₂)_(l) with l being an integer from 1-30; Z¹ is —O—; Q¹ and Q² are independently selected from the group consisting of H₂, ═NR⁴, ═O, or —NR⁵R⁶; R¹ is independently a straight or branched-chain C₂ to C₃₀ alkenyl, an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring with or without mono-, di-, or tri-substitutions of the ring, an acyl group substituted by a C₁ to C₃₀ alkyl oran aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, an arylalkyl including straight or branched-chain C₁ to C₃₀ alkyl, an aryloxyalkyl including straight or branched-chain C₁ to C₃₀ alkyl,

and R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ are independently hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain C₁ to C₃₀ alkyl, a straight or branched-chain C₂ to C₃₀ alkenyl, an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring with or without mono-, di-, or tri-substitutions of the ring, an acyl including a C₁ to C₃₀ alkyl or aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, an arylalkyl including straight or branched-chain C₁ to C₃₀ alkyl, or an aryloxyalkyl including straight or branched-chain C₁ to C₃₀ alkyl.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein Q¹ and Q² of the compound of formula (I) are both hydrogen.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein R¹ of the compound of formula (I) is a C3 to C21 alkenyl.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein R¹ of the compound of formula (I) is a C7 to C21 alkenyl.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (I) is selected from the group consisting of thiophosphoric acid, O-dec-9-enyl ester; thiophosphoric acid O-dodec-9-enyl ester; thiophosphoric acid O-tetradec-9-enyl ester; and thiophosphoric acid O-octadec-9-enyl ester.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein Q¹ and Q² of the compound of formula (I) are both H₂, with A being a direct link and Y¹ being —(CH₂)_(l)— with l being an integer from 1 to
 30. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein R¹ of the compound of formula (I) is an alkyl-phenyl group.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the compound of formula (I) is thiophosphoric acid O-[7-(4-octyl-phenyl)-heptyl]ester. 